(revised) rebuilt steering pump making noise, getting worse

[Kurt Combs]

I replace my power steering pump with a rebuilt from O'Reilly and it never completely stopped whining. Now it is starting to make more noise than the one it replaced. I can try another rebuilt to see if I get lucky, or I can spend $200 more for a new one made by Cardone (sp?). Considering I have many dollars in the RedHead box and I don't want to deal with pieces of steering pump floating in the fluid I am inclined to spend the $240 on the new pump. Anyone have experience with these new pumps or have another source for good rebuilt/remanufactured pumps that are reliable?

As usual, all help appreciated.

Revision:

I talked to Chip at Powersteering.com and he said I should first check for a leak in the return line to the power steering pump before replacing the unit. Seems they leak air because of the vacuum in the line and this causes noise. He also said they tend to be noisy pumps without the leaks. He suggested that I remove the cooling tubing that I brought over from the 1977 F150 that I got the engine out of and replace the return hose, seems they develop unnoticed holes. This would return the lines to how it was originally built but without additional cooling. At this point I will be placing an ad in the parts wanted area because I discarded the original line and I like original parts. He also suggested adding a half of a can of STP to the system to raise the viscosity of the fluid, he even suggested more that half a can considering I am in a relatively warm climate area. If that doesn't solve the problem I will be sending him my power steering pump to rebuild. BTW, he has done work for me before and it was great. Good instructions and quality work on a 65 Buick Gran Sport quick ratio system.

[Kurt Combs]

I found out the return lines come with the metal tubing and Napa can have it in less than 24 hours. I changed the line and added half a can of STP. No difference other than a skinned knuckle or two. This pump sounds like a batch of new born chickens chirping when at idle and has a little whir a like a supper charged Chevy when I give it a little gas. Sounds great when I take the V-belt off the pump. This does not seem right to me, am I being too finicky?

[BobbyFord]

It shouldn't whine. As far as the "chirping", are you sure that isn't the belt?

[Kurt Combs]

BobbyFord, thanks for the suggest about the belt, I'll try the old bar of soap trick on it tomorrow and see if that fixes it.

[Kurt Combs]

BobbyFord, your great. Used a bar of soap on the sides of the v-belt while engine was running and chirping went away! Belt has around 12,000 on it so it isn't old age, I think it is too narrow and going too deep in the pulleys. Time to do a little research and buy a wider belt.

[AZf100]

if you reused your pulley, Your pulley may be Worn out also causing the belt to ride to low. I Deal with belt problems a lot and 75% of the time the belts get worn due to bad pulleys. Just my

[hedz]

BobbyFord, your great. Used a bar of soap on the sides of the v-belt while engine was running and chirping went away! Belt has around 12,000 on it so it isn't old age, I think it is too narrow and going too deep in the pulleys. Time to do a little research and buy a wider belt.

holy moly a bar of soap! trying this right now. original ps pump is about 300k and still going strong but i have the same noise.