power steering pump

[dannmarr]

As I was coming home from work, my power steering was getting harder to turn. I opened the hood and found fluid all around the resevior. I opened it and it still has fluid in it. I started the car and the pump made this noisy grinding sound. The pulley is turning and the fluid rises. The hoses are fine, I replaced them a few years ago and I also replaced the o-ring at that time.
Do I need a new pump? Should I try something first before replacing it?

[dannmarr]

Thanks for all the replies
I found the problem. I can not believe the two bolts that hold down the resevoir was completly loose. The fluid was draining from below. I recently had my rack replaced, could the mechanic have done this and maybe forgot to tighten it? I'm sure he will not admit this. Should I use lock tight or add rubber washers under the bolts?

[immortal_suby]

Might want to check to be sure the O ring wasn't damaged. They do become brittle. If it had already hardened and then lost it's home it may leak after the re-tightening. I've never used locktite on them and have not had one come loose. Maybe he only finger tightened it and then forgot to hit it again with a tool to secure it.

[dannmarr]

After replacing the o-ring and retightening the bolts, the noise is still there. It sounds like the bearings. The bolts might have loosened with the vibration.
Time to rebuilt the pump. A project was overdue

[dannmarr]

I finished rebuilding the pump and installed it. I also replaced the belt. All works fine. I called my mechanic to tell him what I did. He said it was a good idea to change the belt because it was squeeling when he replaced my steering rack. He said he tightned the belt real tight to stop the squeeling.
This is probably the reason for the bearing failure!

[ensteele]

Good to hear you found the problem and it is fixed.