Pajero Owners Club of South Africa

Hi some advice please- my power steering intermittently makes quite a noticeable hi pitched noise - obviously more noticeable at low speeds and when low speed manoeuvring. (Gen 3 - 3.2 Did 2000 - 200 000km)

It tends to come and go - I assume at some point it will go pear shaped though.

Questions -
1) I assume I will still be able to steer if it does - with difficulty
2) Has anybody replaced - had a pump reconditioned - any idea of costs?

Thanx Tim

yes you will still have steering if the pump fails but are you sure the problem is the pump?

Have you tried replacing the power steering fluid?

Hi - definitely I plan to do this as a hopeful quick fix - next oil change is almost due so I was going to tackle them together - how easy is it to drain the old oil - any tricks / things to watch out for?

Replacing the power steering fluid is not a bad idea, but even before you do that you could perhaps try to bleed the system to remove any trapped air. A colleague of mine had a similar issue on his Gen 3 3.5 V6 recently and that was apparently all it took to silence the power steering system. i must say that it had me a little puzzled, because normally power steering hydraulic systems are able to purge any air automatically.

Hi All

Just some feedback - did a flush of system and replaced the fluid and touch wood seems to have done the trick.

Interesting to note that I did find reference to a early design change to the fluid bottle as it was causing air entrapment, wasn't a recall but dealer would do it if complain received.

So if noise returns I'll try that next - although possible it has already been done

Tim

Hi Tim,

Is it possible to post more details on the fluid bottle design change. Which dealership did you speak to ? I'm having power steering problems (no noise, just not working properly)and at this point considering a possible pump recon.

Hi Wessel

Sorry don't have pics - it was a while back but I think it was a post on a Aussie forum where they spoke about bottle change.

Mine is still quiet as anything almost 10K later, so quite happy for now.....

Hi Tim,

Thanks, maybe worth flushing mine before taking it apart. Symptoms are different - no noise, but losing power. But maybe still worth the try.

Good day All

My Pajero (2002, 3.2Di-D Auto) started making a noise the past few mornings when turning the steering. It goes woooooooooer (how do you explain a asound in text? )

In the afternoons it is fine, but I doubt if it is temp related as its not cold in the mornings anymore but I have only noticed it once in the afternoon.

Any ideas? From what I've gathered, it probably need a fluid top up or maybe just a bleed, does the open up the bottle and turning the steering from left to right work?

What fluid do I use, and where to buy (stealers or any spares shop)?

Thanx in advance.

Your symptoms and the sound are spot on - flush sorted it out and its still fine.

Sorry I palmed the work off so don't know how he did it - but it sure worked...