98jeepsrt6

Hey guys.
i have a small issue that caught my attention today and kind of annoyed the heck out of me. I drive mainly with my windows down since i dont have a/c and today i noticed a low pitch whine.. at first i thought it was my elec. fans but when i shut them off the sound is still there. i only hear it when im a stop idling. my exhuast is to loud to hear it when driving.

ive narrowed it down to those two pulley by putting my ear right next to it but can figure out which it is.. i have already replaced the idler pulley about a year ago, and ive noticed that when i rev the engine under the hood i hear a sucking sound/ air leak of some sort coming from the power steering.. i have some issues with the steering at low speeds. It wants to lock up slightly. Not sure if the the tires being wide or and issue with steering components. ive replaced the steering stabilizer and im in need of an alignment( will do when new tires are installed.. also just replaced sway bar bushings with poly bushings..'

What are your guys thoughts and opinions? What would be the way to find out which pulley is causing this sound?

thanks

Gee oh Dee

Moved to OEM.


If it were me I'd pull the belt and check both pullies for dead spots by spinning with my bare fingers.

If you have to the idler pulley, as you'd know, is pretty simple to pull off. Just pull and visually inspect for shavings on the back.

98jeepsrt6

ok, thought id get some more info from advance.. but ok guess ill do that tomorrow at work.. i would say im pretty sure it the pump, since im having the hard spot issues on slow turns, and the hissing sound when letting off the throttle.

Gee oh Dee

Sadly since we're discussing OEM equipment its gotta stay OEM.

Are you talking about a hard spot like its a dead spot?

Is your steering completely stock?

98jeepsrt6

it doesnt always happen but yea feels like a dead spot

yea pretty much, i recently replaced the steering stablizer.. grease all the bushings.. and inspected all equitment and all seems to be in good condition other than the powersteering pump.

Gee oh Dee

I've heard people complaining of a dead spot in their steering, but IIRC it was always due to aftermarket steering components.

If I have time tomorrow I'll try to look some thread up, see what I come up with. Hopefully if you don't find your pump to be the source, I'll have something for you.

To me, though, a powersteering pump whine is almost unmistakable.

98jeepsrt6

its not the normal squeal when turning.. doesnt happen that much, only on slow turns, like when parking, happens when maxing steering.

Fluids levels are fine and dont change.

all steering components are properly greased, and appear to be in working order..

Only sign is a faint whine when engine is warm.. and a hiss sound when letting of the throttle.. can only hear when revving from throttle.

Gee oh Dee

The only other thing that would come to mind would be u joints, but if all steering equip is fine other than pump...

looks like a duck...walks like a duck...quacks like a duck...should be a duck...

98jeepsrt6

newb comment.. 2wd have u joints up front??

Gee oh Dee

Newb mistake. Forgot you are 2wd.


Negative.

98jeepsrt6

OK, back to the issue here.. Im not sure if anyone else has had the same problem but ill try and give another explanation of whats happening.

I was trying to pull in to a parallel parking space that had enough room to pull in forward.. I had to make a quick move cuz the traffic wasnt really slowing down behind me and i saw the space last second.. As i did a quick turn while slowing down the steering seemed to go dead as the idle dropped..
almost having lunch with the curb.. I played with the steering while at idle and it is a lil harder to turn but when going around corners with idle higher she turns fine..

If im not mistaken it would seem i have a worn pump, and while at idle it doesnt generate enough pressure to turn the wheels.

What you think????

Cherokee9t8

My powersteering pump front bearing/seal just went on me 2 weeks ago. For a few weeks leading up to that point, it started having a dead spot while turning.. just a point that felt a little funny that it never did before (and only sometimes). Then the dead spot got less frequent, but started getting a squeal (like a belt noise). I took the belt off and could hear a noise, feel some play and see metal shavings around the powersteering pump. Then about a week later she gave up and blew all over the engine bay..

Gee oh Dee

A dead spot can also be caused by a failing steering box.