Is too much power steering fluid bad? (2002 Jeep GC)?

Question

I have a 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee, Overland package. 4.7L 8 Cyl.

A while back I had it looked at under warranty (lemon law warranty, not manufacturer) for the power steering, they filled my fluid and such and told me they didn't think anything was wrong with it. But, it has still had problems.

When I turn the wheel all the way to one side it makes this awful "mechanical whine" noise. Occasionally in 1st gear it does this as well. Other times if I'm in drive but not moving (i.e parking) the wheel becomes very very hard to turn for a few seconds, then releases.

I checked the fluid today after letting it sit all night. There are 3 lines on the dipstick, add, cold and hot. Of course at this point my engine was as cold as it will get in the summer and the level of fluid read almost to the hot line, about a 1/4 inch below it.

Can too much PS fluid cause the problems I'm having? Also, I know it isn't a leak as there aren't any signs of dripping fluid, and the fluid level has maintained for close to 2 months.

Any thoughts or advice? Very much appreciated.

oklatom · Accepted Answer

It is common for the power steering pump to get noisy when turned all the way to the stop position in either direction.  It may be slightly high, but not enough to cause any problems,

If it sometimes doesn't seem to respond, I would bet the belt that drives it is slipping, you might check and replace it.

So, 1)  check the drive belt on the power steering pump for being glazed or loose.  Tighten or replace as needed.

2)  Don't turn the wheel all the way to the stop.

Anonymous · Answer

Before you take out the dipstick to check the fluid, turn on the vehical, let it run in idle for a moment, open the hood then get behind the wheel. Now, with the vehical in park and brakes on, turn the wheel all the way to the right as far as it will go. Quickly release but not all the way and go back all the way to the right again. Do this a few times. You may hear a hissing sound. You are taking excess air out of the system which can cause it to be hard when turning. Now, take the wheel and turn it all the way to the left and do the same procedure as you did for the right. You will hear the hissing sound again, this is the air coming out. After you do this while the car is idle and on, check the dip stick and the level of the fluid. The fluid if it is low then add as far as the line do not over flow or this will cause the power steering to fail. Some people instead of adding power steering fluid will add transmition oil in substitution, this is a big no no, because the power steering cylinder passes this oil to the power steering and drive shaft and this oil being a bit heavier than the power steering fluid will damage the system. If some one did this to your car, then you will have to have some repairs done to the power steering and to the steering mechanizms itself.

bobweb · Answer

The fluid level is not your problem in my opinion. If your power steering belt has never been replaced, you could do that to make sure the problem isn't a slipping belt. Keep driving and force the problem to get worse. If you have problems just driving down the highway, that's when to make the service technician drive the car and see for himself what the problem is.

dahms · Answer

it style of feels confusing to think of an automobile tech mistaking tranny fluid for means steerage fluid, yet stranger issues have got here approximately. It sounds to me that if it have been low then they in all probability didnt upload something to it. extra extra, in spite of if that's low, then you definately in all probability have a leak. could desire to be time for a sparkling grasp. while those start to bypass out it may get quite noisy. save fluid in it til you may get a sparkling grasp. If it somewhat is the place that's leaking from.

Trending News

Is too much power steering fluid bad? (2002 Jeep GC)?

4 Answers