2002 jeep liberty power steering noise

knuckleslammer · 11-20-2009, 11:23 AM

High pitched noise when started in cold, leaking fluid I don't know where. Once it's warmed up the noise is less. The noise sounds like a bad belt, but the belt is new.

I'm inclined to think it's the power steering rack.

If so, any links to what is good as far as a part?

Also, I know it would have to be aligned after but my primary concern is the fittings that attach to the unit, seems there is 2, in and out. Is it bolt on or do you need special tools?

Thanks, Kevin

LibertyTC · 11-20-2009, 01:49 PM

Knuckleslammer, First make sure that your level of ATF+4 transmission fluid in the power steering reservoir remains at the correct levels. How bad is it leaking?
Before you assume it is the rack, it is going to be mandatory that you clean up these effected areas and try to locate the actual leak's location. It is not uncommon to have leaks from the high pressure hoses, or where the hoses may rub together at U /the bottom, or at actual fittings, due to dried out/ bad seals.

knuckleslammer · 11-20-2009, 01:56 PM

Well I had it looked at a year ago and the synopsis was power steering rack. It did not leak bad then, but I'm adding one full bottle per week now of power steering fluid. I'm reluctant to pay 800 to have this job done. I've contemplated doing it myself, until I learned that the diff must be dropped. My enthusiasm ended there.

So it's gone from a small leak to a bottle per week. I wish this vehicle was more reliable. We've had nothing but problems with it. I've probably spent about 5k worth of repairs on this thing so far, not including consumables.

I'm contemplating getting some lucas leak stop but I don't think that will work. I need to get like 5 more months out of this thing before I'm able to buy something else.

LibertyTC · 11-20-2009, 05:54 PM

Can't imaging doing that replacement without a hoist.
Found a re manned unit fairly cheap here:
http://www.car-stuff.com/carparts/jeepliberty20022002a1cardonea122362367152.html
Still a long day and probably hose replacements /seals while ur there...& who knows...what else..
I would let a shop do it, for warranty alone.

knuckleslammer · 11-20-2009, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LibertyTC

Can't imaging doing that replacement without a hoist.
Found a re manned unit fairly cheap here:
Jeep Liberty A1 Cardone Steering Rack - 2002-2002 Jeep Liberty - A1 Cardone A122362
Still a long day and probably hose replacements /seals while ur there...& who knows...what else..
I would let a shop do it, for warranty alone.

What do you mean hoist? Lift you mean? I got a floor jack and I got toolz.

See, I don't mind doing this stuff too much but it's figuring out all the hoses I'll need and whatnot. I'd replace the unit and all the hoses. I read in another thread that the diff had to be dropped? Doesn't look like it, when I looked at it.

Would a Chiltons manual cut it for this type of job? Tell me exactly what I'd need? Warranty is out 2 years ago and I don't have 800 for a mechanic, so it's on me

Thanks for the help BTW.

LibertyTC · 11-20-2009, 10:10 PM

I have a Haynes at it does not cover the removal of rack and pinion. (go figure)
What is required is a Chrysler service manual and someone in here has it. Tj no doubt..searching..
Online manual would be a big help but we are not suppose to not post that registered material in here .
Page 252-253 shows parts: Google Docs
Worst case senerio Library has real manual..
Looks like Tj was able to do it in 4 hours without having to drop the diff !! Good news!
Best thing is to PM him he is in here too.... here is the link I found on instructions.
Steering rack replacement - JeepKJ Country
Hope this helps, best I can do for you.

T-birdJunkie · 11-20-2009, 10:16 PM

Power steering rack will not make noise like you described.

Also, $800 to have the rack replaced is a DAMN FINE price. ThunderbirdJunkie would charge you $1000 easy to do it as a side job, not including the realignment. It can be a PITA.

Also, '02s ITBJRC do not specify ATF4 like '03+ Libertys do for the power steering

Do yourself a huge favor, and degrease everything, and put flourescent dye in the PS reservoir next time you add fluid, and get yourself a black light. Give it a day, and look for the leak using the black light.

knuckleslammer · 11-21-2009, 06:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T-birdJunkie

Power steering rack will not make noise like you described.

Also, $800 to have the rack replaced is a DAMN FINE price. ThunderbirdJunkie would charge you $1000 easy to do it as a side job, not including the realignment. It can be a PITA.

Also, '02s ITBJRC do not specify ATF4 like '03+ Libertys do for the power steering

Do yourself a huge favor, and degrease everything, and put flourescent dye in the PS reservoir next time you add fluid, and get yourself a black light. Give it a day, and look for the leak using the black light.

Do part stores carry flourescent dye? I've never heard of it. The sound like I said is a whining noise almost like a bad bearing would sound in an alternator or something. Not as high pitched or loud as a bad belt. When you turn the wheel it gets louder. Like a straining type of noise.

knuckleslammer · 11-21-2009, 06:56 AM

Nevermind. The leak is coming from where the lower hose (bottom of pump) attaches. There's a metal hose that has a nut that attaches it to the pump. I hate those type of setups. I tried tightening it but it's still leaking.

The horrific noise is coming from the pump. I felt the side of the pump while the vehicle was on and it had a considerable amount of vibration, as compared to the alternator. Now the question is how the hell I get the pump out

I suppose you have to take the whole front end off to get at the two or so bolts that attach the pump to the engine.

LibertyTC · 11-21-2009, 09:06 AM

Just the rad cross member and fans/shroud.

knuckleslammer · 11-21-2009, 11:41 AM

Well in order to save money, I'm wanting to get a new vehicle in a few months. I took the hose off and noticed that on the end of the fitting there is a rubber seal built into the fitting that was worn. So I tried a couple o-rings which just made the problem worse.

I took the o-ring out and looked up on my wall of tools and the teflon tape was staring at me. So a few wraps of that around the end of the fitting, being careful not to block the hole; presto. Leak fixed.

I was going to do the hose and the pump, but these guys want $200 for the damn hose and $150 for the pump.

Now reading this below, several folks are complaining about the noise and even some who've had the pump replaced still have the noise.

So being that you could still potentially have the noise even with a new pump, I'm going to leave it as is for now. Thanks for the help anyhow gentlemen, it's much appreciated.

Who to trust (Power Steering Problems and Noises) - Topix

LibertyTC · 11-21-2009, 12:04 PM

Ya nice link..wow.
My power steering pump was noisy until I suctioned out the reservoir and added "LubeGard" Universal see the 32 oz bottle. Try that. In 45 seconds my pump quietened right down. This may shut it up.
http://www.lubegard.com/~/C-199/LUBEGARD+Power+Steering+Fluid

Ps: glad ur leak is fixed..keep an eye on it, those are real high pressure lines.

knuckleslammer · 11-21-2009, 01:48 PM

Meh, no luck. But it may need time to work it's way in. I drained the reservoir and got a couple drops of the tasty stuff in my mouth (siphon) yum!!!!

Frign thing is embarrassing to drive till it warms up a tad.

Thanks for the help.

LibertyTC · 11-21-2009, 06:31 PM

Is the pump rattling?
Well it will lube things better for sure but if the bearings or internal problems/damage it wont fix that.
If you got the 32 oz bottle you got enough for a second treatment. Drive it for a few days, and use the LubeGard again.
Just curious what did the PS fluid taste like, oil or? I tasted a few different flavours a few times myself. Best to use a turkey baster to remove the fluids not tube into the mouth.

knuckleslammer · 11-21-2009, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LibertyTC

Is the pump rattling?
Well it will lube things better for sure but if the bearings or internal problems/damage it wont fix that.
If you got the 32 oz bottle you got enough for a second treatment. Drive it for a few days, and use the LubeGard again.
Just curious what did the PS fluid taste like, oil or? I tasted a few different flavours a few times myself. Best to use a turkey baster to remove the fluids not tube into the mouth.

Not really rattling, just like a tight bearing would sound, winding type of noise but not squealing. Worse when it's cold and you turn the wheel. Been like that for 3 F'N years. PS fluid tastes like ***. I siphoned it but the hose was long and fell out of the resivour a couple times and I had to put my mouth on the end of it again. I was gonna use the turkey baster, but I would have got my head chopped off