Q: I'm losing power steering after replacing rack and pump

asked by on December 31, 2016

I had my rack and power steering pump replaced. My car loses power steering now from time to time. Did we miss something in replacing the parts?

Steering wheel is hard to turn Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote

First you need to see that the fluid level is correct. Bring the engine up to operating temperature and check the fluid at the reservoir. Top it up with Pentosin CHF11 hydraulic fluid. The fluid gets foamy when it is low and the steering effort will get choppy. There isn’t much left to change on your power steering except the reservoir. Usually you change the reservoir when changing any other component because it contains a built-in filter. If that has not been replaced then it should be. Other problems could be deteriorated hoses that are leaking. To sort this problem out, you can contact Your Mechanic. They can send a technician to your home or office to check out your power steering and recommend a solution.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

Engine overheats.
Overheating can do extensive damage to your engine. If your vehicle is overheating, you want to get it fixed as soon as possible. There are many issues that can cause overheating; from a stuck closed thermostat to a blown head...
How do I pair a phone?
Before using your phone with your car’s Bluetooth system, you’ll need to pair your phone. Pairing your phone is a simple process that only takes a few minutes: 1. Press the Setup button. 2. Rotate the Volume knob to Phone,...
How can I start my car remotely?
There are a number of after market options (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-to-buy-a-good-quality-remote-starter) available. They require installation by someone who can read a wiring diagram and connect to the vehicles starting and PCM systems. If your comfortable working on your own car, google remote...
P0193 in Ford fiesta durateq
Hello. Trouble codes P0191 and P0193 are the trouble codes for issues with the fuel rail pressure circuit range, reading excessively high. It may be possible that the fuel rail sensor or circuit is having an issue. I would test...
My truck keeps giving me the cylinder #8 misfire code
Hello. A continuing misfire on #8 suggests a bad plug wire (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/ignition-cable-spark-plug-wires-replacement), a bad spark plug (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/spark-plugs-replacement), or possibly oil leaking down onto the #8 plug (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/oil-is-leaking-into-spark-plug-well-inspection), shorting it out. Also, if one plug wire is bad, replace them all....
My car won't shift into 3rd, 4th, and reverse.
Hi there. The gears 3rd and 4th are both on the main shaft inside the transmission. Those gears have a synchronizer that connects the gears together. The reverse gear does not have a synchronizer to make the gear work. It...
Car using oil and shaking
The amount of oil usage you have would cause a large cloud of smoke out the tailpipe. If you see smoke out tail pipe then you most likely have piston ring damage and not sealing on piston walls. You should...
Car starts but won't stay on unless pressing on the gas no engine light on
The engine is stalling and that could be due to a faulty idle air control valve, mass air flow sensor, a vacuum leak or a myriad of other causes. Mechanical causes of such stalling include valve timing and valve condition...
EPS issue on 2002 Honda S2000
EPS systems will communicate with a professional scan tool. Inasmuch as all of the "faults" you refer to are possible, the fastest way to resolve this is to simply download the trouble codes that have set and/or use a real...

Related articles

A Buyer’s Guide to the 2012 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class
Think Think of the 2012 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class as the two-door cousin of the S-Class lineup. Each vehicle in this class is a stylish, sexy coupe. What’s more – they all manage to combine incredible performance with svelte styling. They might...
A Buyer’s Guide to the 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK
It’s It’s not a sedan and it’s not quite a sports car, but chances are that brand-loyal fans desiring that luxury-class hard-top convertible with some oomph under the hood won’t care. The SLK roadster boasts three attractive engine options, and...
Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Pitman Arm Shaft Seal
If the power steering fluid is leaking, at a low level, or making a noise, you may need to replace the pitman arm shaft seal.