Help - 944 Power Steering Fluid Change

[WillJ]

Hi,

I am trying to change the power steering fluid in my 944 S2. I think its is very old as it is a dark brown. The problem i am trying to fix is a "moan" when the steering is under tension - usually at low speed or stationary.

Do you know how to drain the entire system? Is it just a case of sucking what you can out of the resevoir or can you replace all of it.

Also can you describe which is teh power steering belt. There are lots of belt and I want to check if the power steering one is still good.

Thanks

Will

[diver944]

Virtually all older 944's have a slow speed groan from the PAS especially when on full lock in reverse. It occasionally goes away with a fluid change but if it doesn't then a new rack and/or pump will cure it. My S2 has groaned for 8 years now.

To drain the fluid jack up the front wheels then undo the pipe from the reservoir as it goes into the PAS pump and turn the steering wheel from side to side a few times. The pump is just inboard of the offside front wheel and you can see the belt sitting on its pulley.

Refill the reservoir with fresh fluid, start the car and gently move the wheel from side to side until all the bubbles disappear rom the reservoir. It may cure the groan, it may not

[WillJ]

Thanks for this - and the reassurance that the groan is normal.... so to speak.

[anonymous-user]

I had the same issues on my 89 944 S2. Took it to Jaz Wembley who said it was normal. Didn't suggest replacing fluid. I left it as was and accepted it as one of the 944's foibles.

[hartech]

Sometimes if you strip down the power steering pump and rebuild it with grease around the shaft - it will delay the onset of noise after changing the fluid. Also some older pumps had blades inside that could be reversed - so offering a new face to the pump and this improves the noise. To check this take out a blade and look at both ends - early ones had a nice curved face the same both sides and reversing it presents a new curve - better than the old worn one. However newer ones prevented this dodge by the other side having a smaller curve and a flat in the middle and these do not do the trick at all.

Baz