Do Power Steering Pumps Get Weak Or Just Die?

General_Tarfun

Sliders
Location
Atlanta, GA
I have the opportunity to get a low mileage OE power steering pump for pretty cheap. Saving money is great but I also don't know if this is a pointless job because the one I have (original, 186k) still functions, doesn't make any weird noises and as far I can tell is fine. The rubber hoses leak very slowly below the reservoir but I only need to add a little fluid every 6 months or so.

Not knowing that much about hydraulic pumps I could reason that it's possible it would get weaker over time but I have no idea if that's even close to being true. What do you guys think?
 

XterraRising

Bumpers Installed
Location
Utah
Pumps can, and do wear out over time with use. With a lot of use, they tend to pump the fluid without as much flow due to the tolerances in wear plates and so forth opening up. They are almost imperceptible. But we see this in machinery all the time. I’m sure you could go through the hassle of taking it off, bench testing it, and some such, but these items are so cheap on these rigs, it’s hardly worth the effort. Honestly, run it until it breaks.
 

General_Tarfun

Sliders
Location
Atlanta, GA
Yeah I was originally planning on replacing as a preventative thing but after looking into it more the process looks like a PIA to do for something that isn't actually broken yet. I think going forward I'll just keep on doing the fluid changes and let it be.
 

Banjocatt

Test Drive
Location
New Orleans, LA
No comment on whether you should buy the part, but next time your fluid is a little low you should try putting in the lucas power steering stop leak. It works really well.
 
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