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Topic: Continuing Power Steering Pumps problems.

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aci4369
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Continuing Power Steering Pumps problems.
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Put a new Power Steering pump on my XJ.  While looking at the reciepts I bought one 1-09, then replaced that one 10-09, and now 8-10... And I know that I had bought an advanced one before switching to Napa because the Advanced one broke within a few months.... So about every 8 months I have to put a new one in and I don't even put that many miles on in... ohh well thank god for Lifetime warranties.

So I just looked up the dates and mileage (yes I keep track of ALL of that)  I put on a new power steering pump (from Napa) on 1/16/2009 at 136006 miles.  Then again on 11/12/2009 at 141350 and then today 8/3/2010 at 144888 miles.  So in less than 10000 miles I have gone through 2 brand new power steering pumps... confuse

 

What could be causing this?  They always seem to be leaking from between the pump and its resivour.  The pumps themselves work fine as long as I continue to throw fluid in them.  I am not really out any money because I have a life time warranty, but it still is not right.  I did notice that today after putting the new one on I ran the XJ for about 30 seconds while turning the wheel from side to side to get all the air out of the lines.  I checked the level and the fluid looked like and expresso.  I was an off white tanish color.  I always use Napa Power Steering fluid, which is a clear bluish color (possibly grey).  So is this just from the air bubbles working out the lines that caused this.  It is the first time EVER seeing anything that even came close to this in the Power Steering pump.  And once they start leaking I have to fill them on a weekly basis.  Thoughts?


So does anyone have any input on what could be causing this?



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threeEs99
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My only experiance is with Jodies WJ. Its been making a light squeak at full lock to the right. So I started looking at ps pumps and the option of with or with out resivior is given. I would just change the both at the same time. Simply to avoid any possiable leak by re-using my old resivior. Is the same option given for the XJ? If so, did you, or have you changed both? Wish I could be more help.

-- Edited by threeEs99 on Monday 16th of August 2010 07:26:01 AM

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Tysxj
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when i blew my res i had to replace the entire unite.

aci: do you do any driving that might lead to the pump wearing out faster than normal? wheeling hard, curvy roads?

even a couple mins doing doughnuts with 33's can kill a pump. dont ask me how i know disbelief


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aci4369
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threeEs99 wrote:

 Is the same option given for the XJ? If so, did you, or have you changed both?


 No, when you change the pump it comes with a new resiviour.  I mean, if you go to a normal parts store that is how it works.  You can buy some where they have pumps seperate from resivours, but that is pretty much only from offroading parts companies.

The first pump that I put on I tried to put the pulley on myself.  It is really hard and took forever causing frustration.  I thought that might have caused the failure of the first one.  Then I discovered that Napa (at least the one by my house) will pull the pulleys off and put the new one on for you at no cost, and it takes about 30 seconds... I will never do one myself again.

 

Tys, no I really don't.  I mean there might be something that I am doing, but I don't know of it.  I really only drive my XJ around town.  And I don't beat on it, usually because I am seeing how good of gas milage I can get...



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slvmart
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Having NAPA press on the pulley may or may not be an advantage. It all depends on who is doing the work.

Just a thought, but the color of your power steering fluid reminds me of what oil looks like when the head gasket goes and you get water in the oil. At least from your description. Any chance that you are getting water into the gear box or elsewhere in the system ?

It may also be possible that the steering gear box is contaminated or self-destructing and then those fragments are getting into the new pump.

Just a few suggestions, just in case you hadn't thought of these.



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Steve Martinek
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aci4369
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Now that you say it, the color looks exactly like that.  I don't know where the water would be coming from if it is getting into the line...

I don't know about the other stuff either, would there be a way to check that?  Thanks for the suggestions.



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90XJkid
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Maybe an upgrade to a ZJ steering box isn't a bad idea. I have heard they have a quicker ratio.

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slvmart
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Suggestions are easy, fixing it is the hard part.
Another problem that I have run across is that the pulley on my CJ8 was completely misaligned with respect to the other pulleys, and the pulley ended up being warped. That should be relatively easy to check.
When you are driving are there any unusual symptoms ? By this I mean any squealing, binding, rough spots or skipping ? Or does the steering system seem to be smooth and has a even resistance to turning ? Are all the hoses in good condition ? Is there a steering cooler, if so check if all the lines to that are also in good shape as well as the cooler itself. Is the cap to the power steering reservoir cracker, or is the reservoir itself defective ?
If there is nothing obvious, then ...
The only thing I could really suggest beyond the obvious is that you try some of the diagnostics test that are in the Shop Manual, which is in the Tech Section. Although some of the tests require more than just your usual tool kit.
I suppose you could always disconnect the fluid return side from the gear box (not the high pressure side), at the reservoir end and run the power steering fluid thorough the system and capture it in a different container. Then you could see if there is any crap in there maybe using a coffee filter or something similar. Of course you would want to be sure to keep from running the system dry as much as possible.
Sorry that I can't come up with anything definite.




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Steve Martinek
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ChevelleSSLS6
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Check to see if there's any leaks/ways for contaminants to get into your PS fluid.

(some guys use transmission fluid with good results, I've never done it but I'm told it works...)

If you don't have a power steering cooler already, I'd add one on, check ford pickups and vans. They're about the size of a XJ slushbox trans cooler, maybe not quite as long. I've also heard that a power steering filter will help with pump life.

I've never tried this brand of power steering filter, so don't hold me responsible if these work (or don't) for you...  the 'where in the system do you install' filters is legit for any style of filter you choose.
magnetic power steering filters
where to install power steering filters

wix also makes a 'universal' inline transmission filter (suitable for power steering applications).  I'm pretty sure the PS lines are smaller than this filter, but I'm sure there's a way to adapt it. link


-- Edited by ChevelleSSLS6 on Wednesday 1st of September 2010 01:20:18 PM

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aci4369
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I am thinking that my steering box might be going out.  I don't know what that would feel like though.  The steering just seems to be loosening up.  I have also noticed when I hit bumps I will get a hint of Death Wobble.  I think that you average person would not even notice it, it is so small, but since I have experienced it, I know what I am feeling.  So I am thinking that in some way maybe as suggested before, peices are making their way from the steering box to the pump...

Has anyone on here had their steering box go out?  Or could tell me what that would feel like?

I was thinking of going the route of the Durango Steering replacement.

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