Hi guys, im pretty confident its just a knacked power steering pump, but either way thought best to ask. Now the missus just picked up her 300zx tonight. Shes really happy. And im happy i converted her to Nissan =) Any ways, when we inspected the vehicle i didnt notice any issue. However driving it home tonight, well her actually, she said the steering was heavy on and off and there is a nice groan/whine from under the hood, and especially when she turns the wheel. Now the guy said the power steering pump got over filled and spilt the oil over the alternator, frying it, leaving him to replace the alternator. But thats what the seller says, who can really believe it all?? So anyways, progressively got worse as we drove home, not happy... And listening closely it sounds like the pump side, drivers side. Sounds possibly like bearings. Now i know that when the wheels are at near full lock the pump is under awesome pressure, to which if there is a fault it will fluctuate steering rack pressures. In return making the steering wheel heavy on and off. Also should be noted that there is a shit load of power steering oil on the lower black engine cover, seller says its from the overfill, but apon pickup said it looks to be more than he thought he spilt.... Am i correct in thinking the pump is failing, as the noise gets louder the longer your drive, and steering gets worse. Also briefly looking at the reservoir the lower hose looks to have near fresh oil on it, as dust and dirt is building up... Will inspect some more tomorrow when in the day light, but are my diagnoses correct? Reservoir has fluid in it just in case you ask. Belts seem good, just in case you ask too. I have a spare pump in the shed i can install, but out of curiosity will this problem do damage to the rack? Not supplying sufficient oil flow? Really prefer her new car not cost her thousands more that it already has. Anyways enough said now. Let me know please your ideas. Cheers, Chris.
It does give the impression that the pump is failing. You can jack the front up and elevate both wheels to see/hear/feel if it has the same issues without the load applied. A failing pump won't effect the rack, but you may want to drain and replace the fluid incase it has been fried and lost some viscosity. It's not that difficult to replace the pump, so take your time and do it right.
Great, well this weekend i plan to hoist the car up and sus the underbelly out. Spoke to a reco joint here in Adelaide and they say they can reco my original pump for $395. Is that good all round figures? Or can you, the general public, obtain reco kits and do it themselves? About to call Nissan and see what they have to say. Hopefully its not the rack - as the girl at the reco place said it might be... grrr.... but the noise is clearly higher then the rack Fun weekend ahead i think - BUSY! Nissan - for parts Respray - missus old car for sale Nisswreck - for parts Pump - diagnose Inspection - 300zx :bow2: But hey its all good fun. Thanks all.
I think there is a far greater chance that the leaking fluid is coming from one or more steering hoses and/or a leaking pump, rather than an overfill. The fried alternator is generally as a result of a long term fluid leak, rather than a one time spill. Either way, you need to do a thorough inspection of the whole system, but I would doubt the steering rack would be your problem at this stage.
tell me this, looking at the exploded view of the ps pump, it has a suction (gravity fed i assume) inlet, that draws direct from the resi, and a outlet with goes to a flexible hose, pressured line i guess that goes to the rack? then from the rack back to the resi via a low pressure line? now looking at the spare pump i have, the spring, control valve, o ring and outer bolt assembly thats on the high pressure line i believe, i do not have any off. are these interchangeable with the one installed on the vehicle. also is there a big difference between TT and NA PS pumps. as the spare i have i obtained with a vg30det from a cima - so im lead to believe - definitely was a vg30det engine though... is it a no no to use a TT pump on a NA car, or visa versa? Really wanting to get this problem solved tomorrow if possible. would a cracked or leaking pressure line ( in regards to an above post - dripping on alternator ) cause much noticeable difference in the steering wheel? I know i have to inspect it for confirmation but some insight would be great. cheers. Chris.
Info NA & TT(HICAS) p/s pumps are different. Most likely cause of oil leak(s): a split high pressure hose or loose clamp on the low pressure (gravity feed) side, or failed ps pump bearing and seal. Thoroughly de-grease the engine bay/ps system area and run the engine to expose any leak. Replace or tighten any hose/clamp. If PS pump is faulty, refer Tech Section for removal (a PITA job) and, if no major damage done a generic $20 seal and bearing kit will fix it. NB: R & R of ps pump really is a pita unless you have mechanical expertise and/or access to a hoist.
Well apon inspection the pump doesnt seem to have alot of oil around it. Even though nissan service themselves said its leaking... maybe oozing from a pipe maybe... not sure still to degrease everything.. but the major cause i believe is the rack has blown a seal. As where the steering rod assembly attaches to the rack, the boot has cracked and there is this nice 40mm OD seal running loose. Not to mention a consistent drip coming from out of the boot. Are there seal kits available for these rack?!!! As a nissan wreckers charge $350 for one. And to get ours reco'd about the $550 mark.... All in all a very expensive avenue... Well off to degrease it all now and see what else may be causing the issue. Oh i also think the pump may be ok, its just aerating possibly... but hard to confirm that as there is no foam in the resi... Seal Kits???? Cheers.
Problem sourced! Midnight advice needed!!! Ok everyone i found out the problem, the high pressure line has a crack in it at which i believe is the main cause for all my problems. oh and apart from the outer dust seal? on the drivers side of the rack, not sitting tight where it should be. The crack on the hose is about 5mm off where the restrictor? is on the pump side of the hose. Which luckily i read was an actual restrictor, for when traveling at high speeds. Am i in anyway able to not have this restrictor in place so i can use some hydraulic fitting at work and patch the hose until a suitable replacement is bought or manufactured??? As the missus would much prefer to drive the 300 on monday instead of my old pathfinder.... Also being that im in Adelaide, is there any Adelaide guys that recommend going to a particular somewhere for me to get this replacement hose? Long story short. Can high pressure hose be patched together without restrictor? Where is #1 option to get it replaced from? Cheers, Chris.
Just remove the hose and take it to Pirtek and they wiil make a new one for less than $100 that day. The "loose" 40mm seal you describe is actually meant to float on the shaft as its purpose it to help dampen and restrict at full lock, but replace the boot, there's a generic one from supercheap, for a holden, that fits well and is only $10 !! http://www.pirtek.com.au/
just rang pirtek, $154 to manufacture the hose... so a little more than $100, but i guess its better than nissans genuine cost. as for the seal is it meant to float all the way off the rack shaft and onto the tapered section where the knuckle is? as thats where ours is sitting at the moment. cheers.
