I am experiencing a moaning and some shaking of the wheel when turning the wheel on my 2000 ex v6. It was an on and off thing for about a month, but now it has become constant. p/s fluid levels have been ok throughout this problem, although I did notice a slight loss of fluid tonight. I don't believe there is a leak, but there was some fluid on top of the reservoir tonight; it almost seemed as if it had been straining so much I was losing some fluid from the top of the reservoir. Recently, I can barely even turn the wheel unless the car is moving and when the car is moving the turning is very stiff and shakey. It also seems possible that this problem worsens in cold weather being that it has been sporadic until it got very cold here and now it's much more frequent and severe. I noticed another thread about this same issue in a much earlier model; perhaps the person who originally posted could enlighten me if the problem has been fixed. Thanks.

 

eh?

 

While it's acting up check your fluid (pull the cap off) to see if it's foamy. Be sure your lines arent kinked. If all of that is ok you need to replace the pump. I've seen a few of those go bad.

 

It sounds like the p/s pump is cavitating, and not pumping properly
On the 5th Gen's (94-97), there's a fine screen down inside the PS reservoir, towards the bottom. If that's dirty, it should make it more likely to restrict oil flow. Then it sometimes will belch back, dumping fluid onto the top of the reservoir. In addition, if the fluid is brown / black and has a heavy odor; it should be changed out.
The 6th Gen's should be the same.

Ross's ideas have merit as well. Chk the screen, if it's not dirty start thinking P/Steering pump.

P

 

thanks. I'll look into this tomorrow. Is it hard to get to that screen without draining all the fluid or would I be able to dig in there and pull it out?

 

If the fluid's clean, you should be able to eyeball it. If you can't, then the fluid needs to be changed anyway. I wouldn't recommend yanking out that screen; it's the only thing keeping nasty metal particulate matter from circulating to the steering rack, where expensive things would happen pretty quick

P