Grinding noise from Power Steering Fluid Pump

Jeep Grand Cherokee 2002 4.7l V8 116k miles

Some time back the car was overheating and it was determined that it needed a new radiator (I was not consulted). This model has the 4.7l V8 engine, where the fan is driven by the power fluid steering pump. As part of that procedure it seems as if the pressure line from the power steering pump must have been disconnected on the pump as well to replace the radiator. It seems like it was not put on tight again and started leaking. The result is that power steering was lost. It splattered all over as the pulley who drives the pump is right there - big mess. It was noticed too late by my friend and driven empty. Please not that I suspect that's were the leak is, it could also be the power fluid steering tank or its connection to the pump - I am in the process of degreasing to get more clarity. The steering pump now makes an awful grinding noise. I drove it home by stopping every 5 miles and topping off the power steering. The pump besides the noise seems to function however when enough fluid is present. The pump is expensive (dealer quoted with tank $500+ just the material).

Few questions: I believe that the connection on top of the pump is the issue. The line feels loose. Is there a small O-ring in that connection that may not have been put back in when it was taken apart? The connection on top of the pump is really difficult to get to. Ideally, if the pump pulley could be removed from the pump while the pump is in the vehicle, I could get to the connection. However, in order to do create enough working space to put a pulley puller on, I would need to remove the radiator again. The air intake housing and the upper radiator hose are all in the way to get to that connection as well. If I already have to remove the radiator, I will most likely not take a chance to just try tightening the connection but replace the whole pump. The repair manual does not state what all needs to be removed to get to the pump, so my question here is for any procedural assistance in what has to be taken apart to get to that connection. I recall the dealer that I asked for a quote also telling me I needed a special tool for that connection. Any thoughts on that one?

Any advise is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance. Axel

Reply to
axel
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An hour later: I actually was able to take that connection on the power steering pump apart. The special tool: an adjustable wrench :-). Anyway, I take back what I stated earlier. The connection was tight. BUT: Here is the question: The connection actually screws into the pump and there is an O-ring that really looks smashed. I should be able to find one at the parts store to replace it on both ends of the hose assembly. However, this 'nut' for a lack of a better term is loosely connected to the metal hose. Anybody ever heard of that connection going bad meaning developing a leak? I could replace the whole hose assembly, which is still better than replacing the pump. But before I do that as a 1st step I was wondering if anybody ever had those connections going bad. Again, this is the pressure line.

On another note, after working on it for an hour and actually getting the hose loose and out, I determined that I will also be able to take the power steering pump out without removing the radiator. Should be a matter of removing the remaining connections from the pump (return line from radiator fan and power steering assembly) and removing the serpentine belt (and if needed the upper radiator hose to have enough room to get the pump through the space there). So, if I have too, it should be rather easy to do replace the pump.

Axel

Reply to
axel

Basically the O ring is likely all your trouble. They, the hose fitting do go bad and can be put on bad, even on the assembly line.

I think I would try with new O rings first, then a new hose.

As far as removing the pump goes, I don't normally unadjust the belt or remove it beforehand, I just take off the part. The replacement goes on exactly the same, so the belt normally goes back the same for tightness. I do check them after and so far I have been OK doing that. 30+ years so far anyway.

Mike

86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail > An hour later: I actually was able to take that connection on the
Reply to
Mike Romain

The dealer is trying to rip you off big time. You can get two brand new OEM pumps for that price.

Look here, I use these folks quite a bit. They also come in handy when trying to figure out how much bullshit the dealer is trying to shovel.

formatting link
is a dealer parts desk but they don't try to rip you off) P/S PUMP, Grand Cherokee, 4.7L - POWER - POWER 02-04 $238.95 P/S PRESSURE HOSE, Grand Cherokee, 4.0L - POWER - POWER 2002 $39.12 P/S RETURN HOSE, Grand Cherokee, 4.7L - POWER - POWER 01-02 $12.72

If you went with NAPA (Remanufactured)

formatting link
P/S Pump w/ Reservoir - Remfd Item#: NSP8163159 Price: $117.00 with a Core: $38.90 You get the core charge back when you bring in the old pump.

Any decent garage can do the work, it's not that hard.

Reply to
DougW

Another update: Got the O-rings from the parts store and put the hose assembly back in. The O-rings are not my problem - its the hose assembly. Where the nut that spins around that metal tubing is on the pump side, that's where its leaking. It leaks once you turn the engine off - I guess the back pressure/flow at that point. So after I tried the O-rings, I will now replace the hose, just like Mike said. That should take care of the leak. After I got it all clean I didn't see it anywhere else leaking except that bad connection. I will update this thread if this is not fixed after a new hose assembly install.

Axel

Reply to
axel

It's possible the wrench monkeys who took it off originally boogered up that fitting.

Reply to
matt

Update: I got it fixed. No leak on the power steering pump anymore and grinding noise from pump stopped.

The parts stores don't seem to carry the hose, the one from the power steering fluid pump to the fan. They have the other ones, the one from the fan to the gear and the two (2) return hoses, from fan to pump and from gear to pump. Needless to say I ended up at the dealer to get the part. Part No: 5019708-AD LINE HYRDR 10958007. Paid $90.19. When I 1st looked at the hose at the dealer I thought it might not fit. The upper connection - the one that gave me trouble and was leaking - looks very different now. It however had a comment in the parts system at the dealer stating that this is a new hose design and the upper fitting at the pump had to be removed. Before I bought it, I went back home that night and took it off and took it to the dealer the next day to show them that it looks different and doesn't seem that it will fit. It took an arm and a leg to make them let me talk to one of their technicians to make sure (as the parts guys can only operate the computer it seems and have never worked on cars) and the mechanic ensured me that it will work. I put it on. The thread in the connection on the hose side is maybe 3/4" long and only

1/4 of it screws in now and I was very afraid to snap it. Anyway, it seems to do the trick. I have been driving the car for the last three days (about 120 miles city/highway) and it has not been leaking. The grinding noise from the pump stopped once I bled the system (which is simple enough by turning the wheels to both sides without hitting the stop). Seems like the pump, the fan drive and the gear has not been damaged while running dry and has with that been very forgiving.

I took pictures of the old hose's and the new hose's connection that is so different. If anybody is interested to see them, just email me as I don't have a place to post them.

Off to the next project on the car as it has more problems. At least it is somewhat drivable again. Axel

Reply to
axel

Glad to hear it's fixed, thanks for posting your solution.

Do you have alt.binaries.pictures.autos.4x4 ?

There are several free picture places out there. imageshack.us and photobucket.com are two of the better ones.

Reply to
DougW

Reply to
man of machines
4.7l > V8 engine, where the fan is driven by the power fluid steering pump. > As part of that procedure it seems as if the pressure line from the > power steering pump must have been disconnected on the pump as well to > replace the radiator. It seems like it was not put on tight again and > started leaking. The result is that power steering was lost. It > splattered all over as the pulley who drives the pump is right there - > big mess. It was noticed too late by my friend and driven empty. > Please not that I suspect that's were the leak is, it could also be > the power fluid steering tank or its connection to the pump - I am in > the process of degreasing to get more clarity. The steering pump now > makes an awful grinding noise. I drove it home by stopping every 5 > miles and topping off the power steering. The pump besides the noise > seems to function however when enough fluid is present. The pump is > expensive (dealer quoted with tank $500+ just the material). > > Few questions: I believe that the connection on top of the pump is the > issue. The line feels loose. > Is there a small O-ring in that connection that may not have been put > back in when it was taken apart? > The connection on top of the pump is really difficult to get to. > Ideally, if the pump pulley could be removed from the pump while the > pump is in the vehicle, I could get to the connection. However, in > order to do create enough working space to put a pulley puller on, I > would need to remove the radiator again. The air intake housing and > the upper radiator hose are all in the way to get to that connection > as well. If I already have to remove the radiator, I will most likely > not take a chance to just try tightening the connection but replace > the whole pump. > The repair manual does not state what all needs to be removed to get > to the pump, so my question here is for any procedural assistance in > what has to be taken apart to get to that connection. I recall the > dealer that I asked for a quote also telling me I needed a special > tool for that connection. Any thoughts on that one? > > Any advise is greatly appreciated. > Thanks in advance. > Axel

Hey Axe, so you didn't use the connector on the power steering pump? I fought with the hose threading directly on to the pump, and I couldn't get it to start.

Reply to
KineticNRG

Hi Axel,

Very interesting post this! I too have the same leaking issue on my '02 Grand Cherokee Overland. I understand that the 2 piece hose replacement

- 05019708AD is the correct part to use without having to retrofit additional items. Do you have an email address so we can exchange some photos of this particular situation.

Thanks,

Jez

Reply to
jez350

Reply to
L.W.(ßill)Hughes III

Don't assume so much.

Like you assume that you somehow amount to something.

You don't.

Never have.

Never will.

Go suck on a hose.

Preferably one coming out of a vat of cyanic acid.

No, She won't.

Reply to
Throntum Mechanic

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