Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting Power Steering Noise

Just wondered if anyone else has had this problem. When you turn the steering wheel either way the steering makes a moaning sound. I am not sure if you can hear it outside but inside the car you can. I am wondering if it is the power steering pump or possibly the rack. The fluid is up to level so thats not part of the problem. Ideas and thoughts???? I have read through some of the archives but found nothing on this particular point.

If the fluid is old and dirty, the ps system will groan. If you are a little over the MAX line, it will groan too.

Interesting. It is really hard to see the level through the bottle so I did add some but it was already moaning anyway, but I don't recall every having changed the fluid so maybe I will do that and see if it goes away. That would be nice and cheap fix since I just spent $2,000 on tranny/clutch issues recently. Thanks,

Here is a How-To for flushing the system that I created wheil i was doing it.....



Tools you need

- needle nose pliers/vice grip
- drain pan
- 5/8 hose clamp, screw type works best
- 3 quarts of Automatic Transmission Fluid type "F" for the 95s-96s, not sure on other years, maybe Mercon
- duct tape
- funnel
- trash bag
- friend to help you
- towels
- Phillips screwdriver
Okay the first thing you need to do is set the drainpan under the car, you should set it about where the resivor is, then put the trash bag on the side of the car to prevent fluid from getting on your car. Secondly you need to remove the power steering resiovor cap. Using the vise grip pliers brake away the clamp that is attached to the power steering hose that runs parallel to the firewall, just go ahead and get the clamp off anyway possible. When you get the clamp off, you need to take the needle nose pliers, and force off the hose. When it comes off cover the white end from the resiovior where it came off with the duct tape.

Now set the funnel in the resiovor. Have your friend start the car but tell him not to turn the wheel. After 30 seconds of having fluid flow out have them shut it off. Okay get the fluid ready, have them start the car and turn the wheel gently, as they are doing this old fluid will be coming out of the hose so you need to pour new fluid in fast. If at any time you hear a groaning sound have them shut the car immediately, you wernt pouring fluid fast enough. With it off fill to the max line, then have them restart. You need it so they can turn the wheel to the left and right all the way without having any groaning sound. When they can do that, reconnect the hose, but first slide the clamp on it. Now tighten the clamp tight. Fill the resiovor a bit above the max, as it might drop a bit, mine did.
Keep an eye on the fluid for day or two.

Thanks but I probably won't do it myself. When I get my next oil change done I will have the dealership do it. Just makes my life a lot easier. Trust me whenever I do stuff like this on my car something ALWAYS go wrong so I don't try anymore. But if I do get someone else to help me I will definatley use the instructions you gave me. Thanks,

when i check the p/s fluid this is what i do and it works for me: open the top, put flashlight right up to the top of it.. and look through the translucient plastic case on the side where it says: max min... real easy to see like this with the light inside illuminating the thing up...

Thanks, never thought of that.

I changed my ps fluid a couple of weeks ago. This is how I did it. It was someone else's idea so I can't claim the credit.

Get a turkey baster. Suck up as much of the fluid from the reservoir as you can. I stuck a piece of poly line on to the end of the baster so I could reach to the very bottom of the reservoir. Refill up to the fill line with clean fluid. Drive around for a day or two. Suck more fluid out and refill with clean. Drive around a bit ....

Do this 3 or 4 times and you'll have changed all the fluid essentially. It's not perfect but it's quick, easy and clean.

You can do it !

Yes that is definately easier. Maybe I will give it a try.

That is not easier and it more work in the long run. My directions look hard and long only because I went into detail so it would be easy for people to do.

Wiht mine you open the hood once spend 20 minutes or so, and you done with it, with the other idea you have to do it several times.