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power steering help needed

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70herald

Luke Skywalker
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Hi all
My Nissan Serena minivan has suddenly become a rather heavy to steer and it seems that something is failing in the power steering.

The belt looks fine and there is enough fluid. The fluid is nice and clean. There were a few tiny black bits in the reservoir strainer.

Now how do I figure out if the problem is the pump / rack hoses?

When I looked in the reservoir the fluid doesn't seem to be circulating but I have no idea if that tells us anything or not.

There are no signs of leak in the system.
 
"When I looked in the reservoir the fluid doesn't seem to be circulating but I have no idea if that tells us anything or not."

Sort of.

One thing, check the level with engine off, then with engine running.
Generally, it drops a bit while running.

No howl from the pump?

Probably crack the pressure line at the rack, big pan, fire it up and see if it squirts out around the threads (you'll hear it...shut it off immediately).

Pump could have fratzed.
One of the reasons the parts houses stock pumps.

Hose, probably not.
However, if the hose has collapsed internally, or the rack reaction plates are hosed, you will see a big difference in the pressure hose stiffness when running as compared to not running.

You should see circulation in the pump reservoir.
They don't like to dead head.
 
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