Power Steering Died

cogitocogito Wagonist
in Engine & Drivetrain
I have an 89 RT4WD Wagon with manual transmission. My power steering seems to have died. There is a small puddle of fluid under the engine area where the PS pump would be. So I assume my pump is leaking. What are my options? I would like to keep the PS, but if not possible, then I suppose convert it to manual steering.

I looked at the threads here and one of them said to go to hondaautomotiveparts.com and find my pump's part number, which seemed to be 88675. But I didn't see how to find out if the same pump is used on other models? They didn't have one available, but since it cost almost $500, I wouldn't buy it anyway. But I could check for pumps in local junkyards. Does anyone know if the same pump is used in other models? Also, is it really mandatory to use Honda oem PS fluid when adding fluid? Any help is appreciated.

Comments

  • cogitocogito Wagonist
    Forgot, is it possible my pump is OK, and the fluid leaked from somewhere else? I guess I need to check that out?
  • vtecn8ivevtecn8ive Senior Wagonist
    Check for a bad line. Possibly one of your hoses are bad and caused the leak. I believe that would also cause your power steering to "die".
    Is it possible your power steering pump is seized?

    Manual steering swap IS A BITCH, I just did it.

    The sedan and wagon pumps are the same. If you use hondaautomotiveparts.com you just need to look up your vehicle. Select the part you want (add to cart) and then go back and look up the another vehicle. It'll show it in red if its compatible. If it's not then you know its not.
  • JakerJaker familEE
    Or just look on Hondapartsdeals.com. They give the actual Honda parts numbers, so its much easier to compare compatibility between models.
  • cogitocogito Wagonist
    OK, thanks, I'll check it out this week.
  • cogitocogito Wagonist
    I determined that my high pressure steering pump hose is leaking. Does anyone know how long it takes to replace one of these? Is it a simple R&R job with normal wrenches? I don't want to try it myself if it means buying special Honda tools, etc.
  • SiWagonSiWagon Council Member
    cogito wrote:
    is it really mandatory to use Honda oem PS fluid?

    :!: YES!:
    +++SiWagon TIP: Stopping POWER STEERING Leaks B4 it starts.
  • cogitocogito Wagonist
    Well, I got a bum steer. The mechanic who told me my high pressure sterring hose was bad was wrong. The HP hose is OK, but the low pressure hose was leaking, and it was replaced. But the mechanic now says that the power steering fluid cooler is leaking and that I need a new PS cooler, or "radiator"? I didn't even know that one existed. I can't find it in my online repair manual or at Rockauto's parts website. Does this thing really exist?
  • JakerJaker familEE
    #24 in this picture from the 2WD auto transmission Wagon:

    804333.png

    You don't need to use the Honda part. You could use some aftermarket piece that would probably cost about $30-40, and need some hoses. Not special high pressure hoses, but garden variety low pressure hoses since the cooler is on the low pressure return side.
  • cogitocogito Wagonist
    Thanks a million.
  • FakeJDMEF8FakeJDMEF8 Senior Wagonist
    swap that hunk-o-junk for a Si rack:)
  • cogitocogito Wagonist
    ? I've already got a rack.
  • oldschoolimportoldschoolimport Wagonist
    Si rack is manual, so you can ditch all the power crap. I just ditched it all on mine, and have all the lines and cooler if ya need any of it.
  • cogitocogito Wagonist
    I finally got my PS fixed, so here is the story. Since I don't have anywhere to work on the car I had to take it to mechanics for the work. The first guy said my high pressure PS hose was leaking. So I bought a new one from Rock Auto for $60. When I went to the shop the guy said it would cost at least $200 to install it, so I said no thanks. I went to second mechanic who said he would do the job for $50 so I said OK, and left the car at his shop and went home. He brought the car back a few hours later and said that the high pressure hose was actually fine, and that the leak was from the low pressure hose, so he replaced it. He also said that the cooler was leaking and that he could get a new generic one for about $60 and that it would cost around $100 to install it. Then he said the work he had done that day took a lot longer than he thought it would and wanted $70 instead of the agreed-upon $50 which he quoted earlier. I said fine, paid him, and that I would let him know about the cooler.

    Of course Honda wanted a small fortune for a new one and I ran across a couple of used ones for around $30. But they had no warranty of course and if they were bad I would be stuck. So I bought a generic cooler at NAPA for $35. Had the mechanic install it for $80, and it seems to work fine. I suspect I probably did not need a low pressure hose and the mechanic soaked me for that job, but who knows. It just seems unrealistic that both the hose and the cooler would go bad at the same time.
  • NZ-DB8RNZ-DB8R Moderator
    Be 100% sure that if he replaced the steering fluid he used Honda Specific Power steering fluid
    Many brands make it, doesnt have to be Honda brand. Just designed for Honda systems.
  • cogitocogito Wagonist
    Yeah, I got some at NAPA for 3.50/pint. The Honda stuff was 4.50. Seems fine.
  • saveacivicsaveacivic New Wagonist
    Honda power steering fluid is different than regular ps fluid because it is actually dot3/dot4 brake fluid. Yes you read that right. Google it. I've been using it for years now :)
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