Another Power Steering thread

[liv2drift045]

Question...

So I installed new gpsports knuckles, kazama tie rods (with built in spacer) and ends, and additional 5mm steering spacers. Power steering had a SLIGHT hardly noticable whine before install, when turning the wheel either way. After the install, the system whines loud when you give the wheel any
input. I mean a very slight turn your hear it whine. Another issue is
that power steering works fine turning to the left but its like I have
no power steering turning to the right. I thought it was the alignment
so I did an alignment and and it was pretty bad, but the feed back
from the steering wheel didnt change. I took off the additional
steering spacers just incase, no change. So now I'm wondering if it's
the pump or the rack. I have a track day on monday so i need to get
this fixed. Any ideas?? Much rather just change the pump.
Car isn't a nissan btw, its a 100 markII. 1jz/2jz swap guys are
welcome to chime in too (though this isnt engine specicific).

[Sterlz]

If you have access to another pump, try it out. You check for any leaks? Maybe a tire issue? Shouldn't be anything suspension related since you sorted that out.

[liv2drift045]

Yea I'm thinking I'm gonna change that first. Just wondering if theres anyway to figure out if its one or the other...

[az_240]

Are you sure you are using the correct fluid? Whining usually comes from low or incorrect fluid.

Did you adjust the rack at all? There is a tensioner nut on the rack that can make it feel like you don't have power steering if it's out of spec.

Also check to be sure the rack is centered... basically measure each shaft with the steering wheel centered.

[liv2drift045]

Not sure what the tensioner nut looks like. Is it like a spacer about he size of where you screw the rod into the rack?? I left that piece out so I'm gonna try putting that back in too. Never adjusted the rack, though If I replace it, I will make sure its centered when I install the new one.

Will check all of those things... rack has the right fluid in it as far as I can tell.

[Rabboni]

I think its the rack. If it were the pump it would most likely affect turning in both directions, and yours is only turning hard in one.

[liv2drift045]

Well I talked to one of my mechanic friends and he said rack as well. Changed it out tonight. When I removed the tie rod boots from the rack there was fluid in both of them (these are brand new boots that didn't have fluid in them yesterday). Also while draining the rack I noticed the system has the wrong fluid in it. Great. So I'm debating if I should change the pump anyway since it's been using the wrong fluid for how long. Shop closed before I could finish though.

Got it done way faster than I thought too.
Thanks for the help/suggestions.... Will post results when done.

[Sterlz]

Please do. Can be very useful

[S14DB]

Running ATF in it?

[liv2drift045]

It's supposed to be, but it didn't look like atf. It may have been, but I'm not sure. Most ATF is redish in color (in my experiance)... it was yellow.

[DALAZ_68]

yellow?! could have been brake fluid, no lie, ive seen people do it...lol

i would honestly suggest just swapping the pump...you could try flushing...or installing the new rack, and flushing the system that way, but that just reintroduces the old fluid to the new rack...pointless...pump rebuilds are like 60-80...so well worth it, and some places offer warranty so if you blow it at the track or something, bring it back...

it be the best bang for your buck and engine to just swap pumps...