Just had a new front hub installed by my usual mechanic to fix my abs, and now the power steering's not working at idle or going slow. Add just enough throttle to bring it up from idle and it works fine. Happens warm or cold. PS fluid is full, and I installed a new serpentine belt also. Any ideas gang? May not be related to the wheel hub fix, just very coincidental it happened on the same day.
I highly doubt that it's related. My guess would be the pump.
I'd guess the relief valve in the pump is sticking. How does the fluid look? Try a fluid change (empty reservoir with a turkey baster and refill every couple days until you've gone through 2 quarts), maybe try running a high mileage formula ATF.
I'll give that a shot, thanks.
These cars kill power steering fluid for some reason which then kills pumps. My Intrigue would turn its power steering fluid black at a rate that really surprised me. Pump may be too far gone for a fluid change to fix, but it won't cost a lot to find out. I'd probably reach for Royal Purple's power steering fluid based only on good experience with some of their other products.
I'm going to try flushing it , and adding some Lucas additive..worth a shot for $15.
The Lucas stuff will probably help, if you want to go straight to that, use the whole bottle.
STP
What engine is it?
+1 for probable pump, but, funny story, if your car has an LS4 engine, any time I would see an LS-architecture engine have a "loss of power steering at idle" problem, it was because the crank bolt worked loose and the harmonic damper was slipping on the crank. This generally requires a new crank and damper, but I have had moderate success with thorough cleaning, green Loctite, and a pair of roll pins. Which, really, shouldn't even work, but it can limp you along until a correct fix is time- and money-realistic.
In reply to Knurled: It's an '03 Impala, so certainly not an LS4. Likely a 3800.
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