preludatic

Driving on the highway and got caught in slow traffic. Noticed my wheel was hard to turn and wheel was squeeling. I figured I was just low on fluid. So I pulled to the next gas station, bought some fluid, popped my hood and there's power steering fluid everywhere but the level is fine. After letting the engine cool and so forth it looks like the "leak" is coming from the drivers side wheel well. Now at first I thought it just trickled down in there but it covers the whole wheel well. I'm 100 miles from home. Pump still squeeks while driving but doesn't squeek while turning the wheel at a stop, but initialy it turns rather hard. Am I ok to drive it home? I'm on my blackberry. Any help is great. Tia

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BBYlude

what do you mean 'wheel was squeeling'? be specific.

so there is power steering fluid IN the wheel-well? Not on top of it in the engine bay, but on the bottom-side of the plastic shroud that covers the tire/suspension.

Have you followed all of your power steering hoses and checked for leaks/cracks?

- So the pump squeeks while driving, engine on, in a straight line.
- It doesn't squeek while turning the steering wheel, engine on, vehicle stopped.
- Initially, the force required to turn the steering wheel at a stop is higher than normal, but as you increase the steering input (via steering wheel), the force becomes less?

I'm just trying to make this as clear as possible, as to get you an answer sooner.

Also,

Can you verify that the power steering pulley is not siezed?

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**Erik**

preludatic

Squeeks while driving only when turning. Fluid is all over engine bay on power steering side. Also in wheel well on the rubber. So that answer is yes to both. Pulley spins fine. Cleaned the hoses off and watched for leaks with car running but saw no signs of leaks. Could it be possible the fluid boiled over? Driving it back to richmond now... Thanks for the help

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vinuneuro

Sounds like maybe there's a leak at the steering rack, but not sure how your fluid level is ok though.

If I were you, I'd cut the ps pump belt and drive it home without ps to remove the risk of damaging anything until you diagnose the problem. This is the best solution since you don't know what the problem is. It'll be a little tougher driving at slow speed without ps, but once you're on the hwy it'll be fine.

preludatic

Just pulled over. Fluid is everywhere in the bay again. Looks to me like its coming from the top of the fluid tank honestly. Idk if its boiling over or what

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BBYlude

^^ won't that drain the fluid from the reservoir, leaving the still operating pump dry? I bet the fluid is what keeps the pump cool as it constantly spins, right?

^ might be a stupid question, but are you sure it's power steering fluid?

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**Erik**

vinuneuro

Cut the ps belt. If the pump isn't operating, you won't have pressure= you won't keep getting fluid everywhere.

BBYlude

ah I misread your post. It doesn't run any other accessories? (I really should know this as much as I've worked on my engine)

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**Erik**

vinuneuro

PS belt doesn't operate anything else. AC compressor and alternator share one belt.

93H22ALude

go ahead and cult the belt. I broke my belt in southern VA and drove all the way to central texas with it off without any problems. Get yourself home and start looking at things.

preludatic

well, just to keep you guys updated... i ended up driving the rest of my trip... another 400 miles lol.. (stupid) and fluid definetly became empty more than once. Im thinking it has to be the pump for sure.

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93H22ALude

does the pump make a lot of noise when its full?