Don, I used to get that all the time, just at idle speed when I first started my van... I haven't heard the groan lately, but two things have happened since I last did, either one could be the reason I don't hear it anymore: 1. My throttle switch went bad, so I "mis-adjusted" it to err on the side of "running" instead of "idling"... this gives me a high idle most of the time (the switch seems to be 'sticky'), but I can pull away from a stop sign without bogging down. 2. I rebuilt my P/S pump... did this along with putting in Frank C's hose kit in place of the steel lines which had rusted out, dumped the fluid, and cooked the pump. Naturally, I also totally replaced the P/S fluid as a consequence of this... so that's another variable to consider. These both happened around the same time, and if I ever get around to installing the replacement idle switch, I'll find out if the groan comes back at a normal idle, or if the pump rebuild provided enough of a pressure difference to prevent the groaning. In my case, the groaning did not seem to indicate a bad rack, because it's been over a year since I heard the last groan, and I haven't had any problems with the rack, or difficult steering (of course, YMMV). If I recall, the pump rebuild kit was in the 30-40 dollar range from Bus Depot, and the Bentley instructions were clear and simple to follow. I've never rebuilt a P/S pump before or since, but this one seems to be holding up (maybe because I now have a spare... no part will break if you have a replacement handy :-). Tim
At 10:56 AM 8/10/2005 -0700, Don Williams wrote: >When I start 85 westy and turn the steering wheel there is an intermittant >groan associated with the process. Driving down the road, there is no >problem. I am wondering if my power steering is going, and what I can do >about it. |
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