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Contamination problems occur more frequently in rack and pinion power steering systems. Contamination can occur when pumps fail, hoses deteriorate, or moisture gets into the power steering fluid. All of these problems result in material contaminating the power steering fluid which can plug small orifices in the steering system, increase friction, and interfere with the fluids hydraulic characteristics, resulting in a failure of the power steering system.
Low fluid
Low power steering fluid levels reduce the amount of hydraulic pressure created by the power steering pump, resulting in hard steering. Low fluid levels also cause increased wear of the power steering pump from inadequate lubrication and high fluid temperatures which further accelerates pump wear. Low power steering fluid can cause a power steering pump to wear out prematurely and can result in the eventual failure of the power steering system if not corrected.
Snapped belt
Many vehicles use power steering pumps which are driven by a belt connected to the crankshaft of the engine. Worn belts can slip causing a reduction in the fluid pressure produced by the power steering pump, which increases the effort needed to operate the steering system. Power steering belts that catastrophically cause an immediate loss of power steering as the pump is no longer being driven by the engine.
Worn pump
As power steering pumps are operated and age they wear out. The seals and internal parts of the power steering pump break down over time and lead to an incremental loss of fluid pressure. As the pump wears out, pump noise and steering effort increases. Worn out pumps will eventually fail, leading to a total loss of fluid pressure and a failure of the power steering system.
Leaks
Power steering systems require hydraulic fluid to operate. Hydraulic power steering fluid can leak from worn or damaged hoses and failing seals. When enough fluid is lost, the power steering pump can overheat or wear out prematurely, resulting in a loss of hydraulic pressure and failure of the power steering system.
looks like your intrepid has what is know as a driveability problem
1. electric fuel pump is failing
2. injectors are mis-firing due to clogs: 1 or more has failed
3. someone has been naughty and dumped something in your fuel tank while you slept
check your power steering fluid and pump, also these units have a problem with the rack and pinion unit, but start at the power steering fluid resovior and look for leaks, low fluid will cause the pump to starve for fluid cause irrepairable damage and noise as well... please rate my help, thanks
if the winning noise gets louder when you turn the steering wheel, it is the power steering pump.
99 to 04 intrepids have a serpintine belt with a self tightner.what i did with mine is **** the old power steering fluid out with a shop vac.replaced half with new fluid and top up with a transmission/power steering fluid additive.the noise went away after a couple of days.
sounds like one of your seals have failed or water is getting into system chekcif the water pump is close to power steering pump may just be a gasket hope this helps
It realy would be best to get it up on ramps to find out where the leak is.
Did it start at the same time as the flat tyre - i.e. did you go over something? if so, it may have stressed the steering (if power steering) and caused a seal failure. Or it may be that the sump has recieved a blow, causing the sump pan seal to leak a bit - or even crack.
If the oil is black - it's probably the sump, if lighter in colour, it is probably steering rack fluid or brake fluid.
Check the oil levels to see which one it is. If there is a large leak, or the brake fluid or steering fluid is leaking, the car is best recovered for repair, as driving it is dangerous.
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