How do you test the power steering pump?

[BorkedWRX]

How would one go about testing the powersteering pump to see if the pump is teh fault or something else in the PS system (i don't have any powersteering, havn't for a few years now... donuts at full lock = PS system goes boom)

Is there some type of pressure test I can do?

Or maybe a better way to ask the question is what process would one follow to diagnose a PS issue?

[I Like It Sideways]

I'd imagine fill it with PS fluid, and look for leaks.

Possibly buy a T fitting, pressure gage, and some extra hardline, and tap into it to see if you are getting pressure. I have no idea what an ideal pressure reading would be though.

That might be more in depth than you need to go however.

[BorkedWRX]

its actually full of PS fluid, and I've never been able to find a leak. Kinda wierd...

[I Like It Sideways]

Anyone know if a PS pump is a vane pump?
I'm not quite sure then where the problem would be.. I'd place money its the pump, not the rack... (or at least I hope it is, it is a heck of a lot easier to replace).
Anyone else have any ideas?

[WRXCMM]

personal experience i just lost my power steering pump at the hungry valley meet #2(donuts full lock=gone)

is there a leak in the system?
you said no so your safe of buying a new rack (expensive)
ok so is there a whine noice when you turn the wheel? (with car on of course)
if the answere is yes then the pump is gone replace and and flush the current fluid and you're good. or continue without it.

[BorkedWRX]

hmm, sounds like its prolly the pump then, though it only whines when at full lock...

Somehow I ended up with a forester PS pump, I wonder if that will work...

[BorkedWRX]

well, I am sure it is the PS pump...

opened it up today, found this...

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb179/borkedWRX/_C125997.jpg

sucks, pumps are expensive for the WRX (compared to other model subarus)

[martinus]

How the ef, do you guys burn-up all these pumps ?????????????????????????????

^^^ Rethorical question .

I guess, I'm asking how much tighter will the "doughnuts" get... if you are already spining around in a circle pivoting around one of the front wheels ?


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[BorkedWRX]

I guess I just didn't think about the fact that I was holding the wheel at full lock for so long, I was also 20 years old and an idiot about cars (my WRX is my first car). Thankfully I'm not as much of an idiot. ;)

wow I just realized i havnt had PS for 5 years, thats kinda sad...