QuestionHi Kevin. I have a 1998 Chrysler Sebring LXi – 2.5 V6. The power steering unit is making that typical whining noise, even if I don’t turn the wheel and worse if I turn the wheel. It is also making sounds like metal to metal. The fluid is on the high mark when the engine is off but doesn’t even touch the dip stick when the engine is running. I have read that there is a valve in the rack that often fails and it is not serviceable. The whole rack would have to be replaced.
Is that true? If so how can I tell if it is the valve in the rack that has failed or just the power steering unit?
I doubt that I have the tools or expertise to change the rack but could you walk me through the process of changing the power steering unit.
Thank you,
Denny
AnswerPOWER STEERING PUMP 2.5 L ENGINE
WARNING: POWER STEERING OIL, ENGINE COMPONENTS AND EXHAUST SYSTEM MAY BE EXTREMELY HOT IF ENGINE HAS BEEN RUNNING. DO NOT START ENGINE WITH ANY LOOSE OR DISCONNECTED HOSES, OR ALLOW HOSES TO TOUCH HOT EXHAUST MANIFOLD OR CATALYST.
REMOVE
Remove battery cable from (-) negative post on battery and isolate cable.
Siphon as much power steering fluid as possible out of the remote power steering fluid reservoir.
Remove the power steering fluid supply hose from the power steering fluid reservoir. Fluid supply hose will be removed with the power steering pump.
Raise vehicle.
Remove right front tire from vehicle.
Remove accessory drive splash shield Splash Shield from the right front wheel well.
Remove the power steering fluid pressure hose from pressure fitting on power steering pump Power Steering Fluid Pressure Hose Attachment To Pump Let remaining power steering fluid drain out of the power steering fluid supply hose, power steering pump and power steering fluid pressure hose. After power steering fluid has drained out of pump and hose, install a cap on the power steering pressure hose and a plug in the power steering pump pressure fitting.
Remove the antilock brakes hydraulic control unit heat shield Hydraulic Control Unit Heat Shield from the hydraulic control unit mounting bracket.
Remove bolt at adjusting slot in accessory drive mounting bracket, Power Steering Pump Rear Mounting Bolt attaching back of power steering pump to the bracket.
Remove bolt at adjustment slot, Power Steering Pump Front Bracket Attachment attaching the power steering pump front mounting bracket to cast aluminum accessory drive bracket on engine. Then remove bolt Power Steering Pump Front Bracket Attachment at top of power steering front mounting bracket, attaching it to the accessory drive bracket.
Remove the power steering pump drive belt from power steering pump pulley.
Remove power steering pump, fluid supply hose and front mounting bracket as an assembly from the engine and vehicle. Pump, fluid supply hose and mounting bracket is removable by bringing it out through area between rear of engine, driveshaft and front suspension crossmember.
Transfer required parts from removed power steering pump, to replacement power steering pump.
INSTALL
Install power steering pump, mounting bracket and fluid supply hose as an assembly back in vehicle, using reverse order of removal. Be sure power steering fluid supply hose is correctly routed up to the power steering fluid reservoir when installing power steering pump.
Install power steering pump and front bracket on the cast aluminum accessory drive engine bracket Power Steering Pump Front Bracket Attachment Then loosely install bolt at adjusting slot and top of power steering pump front bracket Power Steering Pump Front Bracket Attachment mounting pump bracket to accessory drive bracket.
Loosely install the bolt mounting power steering pump to its rear mounting bracket Power Steering Pump Rear Mounting Bolt
Using a lint free towel, wipe clean all open power steering hose ends, and power steering pump fittings.
Install a new O-ring on the end of the power steering pressure hose bajo fitting O-Ring Installed On Power Steering Hose Banjo Fitting
Install a new O-ring on the power steering pressure hose banjo fitting bolt O-Ring Installed On Banjo Fitting Bolt
Lubricate both O-rings using fresh clean power steering fluid
NOTE: When installing the pressure hose it must be installed between the front bracket of the power steering pump and power steering pump pulley.
Install the power steering pressure hose on the power steering pump pressure fitting and, loosely install the Banjo Bolt.
Install power steering pump drive belt on power steering pump pulley.
Install a 1/2 in. breaker bar in the square adjusting hole in the front power steering pump mounting bracket Power Steering Pump Front Mounting Bracket Adjusting Hole Then rotate pump to obtain the correct drive belt tension. See Accessory Drive Belts in Group 7 Cooling System of this MDS2 for the correct drive belt tension specification. When correct drive belt tension is obtained first tighten the bottom 2 adjusting slot bolts at the power steering pump cast mounting bracket to a torque of 54 N·m (40 ft. lbs.) Then tighten the power steering pump mounting bracket top pivot bolt to a torque of 54 N·m (40 ft. lbs.)
Position power steering pressure hose in outlet fitting of power steering pump, so hose is not contacting the pulley of power steering pump drive belt Power Steering Fluid Pressure Hose Attachment To Pump Then tighten the Banjo Bolt to a torque of 34 N·m (25 ft. lbs.)
Install heat shield on hydraulic control unit for the antilock brake system Hydraulic Control Unit Heat Shield
Install accessory drive splash shield in right front inner fender Splash Shield
Install tire back on vehicle. Tighten the wheel lug nuts in proper sequence until all lug nuts are torqued to half specification. Then repeat tightening sequence to full specified torque of 129 N·m (95 ft. lbs.)
Lower vehicle
CAUTION: Do not use automatic transmission fluid in power steering system. Only use Mopar®, Power Steering Fluid, or equivalent.
Install power steering fluid supply hose on power steering fluid reservoir fitting. Install hose clamp on hose, being sure hose clamp is installed on hose past upset bead on power steering fluid reservoir.
Fill power steering reservoir to correct fluid level.
Connect negative cable back on negative post of battery.
Start the engine and let run for a few seconds. Then turn the engine off.
Add fluid if necessary. Repeat the above procedure until the fluid level remains constant after running the engine.
Raise front wheels of vehicle off the ground.
Start engine, then slowly turn steering wheel right and left several times until lightly contacting the wheel stops. Then turn the engine off.
Add power steering fluid if necessary.
Lower the vehicle. Start engine again and turn the steering wheel slowly from lock to lock.
Stop the engine. Check the fluid level and refill as required.
If the fluid is extremely foamy, allow the vehicle to stand a few minutes and repeat the above procedure.
After power steering pump is installed, check for leaks at all hose connections and power steering pump fittings.
