So me and a buddy of mine are trying to fix the power steering system on my old 2005 Honda accord ex manual 4dr because someone who tried to fix a coolant leak sometime back mistook the power steering pump for the water pump and dropped it on the ground. Now the power steering won’t work at all despite my buddy watching videos online of how it’s supposed to be done, vacuum and all. We also changed the pump itself.
Whoever did the work damaged the power steering pump. You need a new one. Only go OEM for power steering pumps.
It's kinda hard to mistake a power steering pump from a water pump, if you're at all familiar with cars.
@justin-shepherd ok, thanks! My guy moved to Florida as soon as news broke lmao.
I’ll go see if getting a new pump helps with the job
Why not test the output pressure of the pump you have first and see if it's within specification?
We also changed the pump itself.
I missed this detail my first time reading it. Get a set of jack stands and prop the car up, so that the wheels are off the ground. Fill the power steering pump with OEM fluid until it reaches approximately halfway, then, turn the wheels from lock to lock 5 or 6 times. The level will have gone down, then, start the car and turn the wheels from lock to lock again with the cap off. It should lessen whining as the fluid goes into the system. When there is no more whining, turn the car off, lower the car from the jack stands, and find a level surface so the power steering can be filled to the system's hot capacity.
@justin-shepherd we tried doing that with a remanufactured pump but there was still no power assist. I’ll go see if getting a new pump helps with the job but my friend thinks it might be something to do with the power steering rack, but afaik there are no leaks so maybe not?