# Steering wheel pump was changed and when I turn the wheel, it is still knocking and grindingg **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [April 24, 2025, 1:45am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/steering-wheel-pump-was-changed-and-when-i-turn-the-wheel-it-is-still-knocking-and-grindingg/199968 "2025-04-24T01:45:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Karen-Hammond](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/a587f6/32.png) [@Karen-Hammond](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Karen-Hammond)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2025, 1:45am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/steering-wheel-pump-was-changed-and-when-i-turn-the-wheel-it-is-still-knocking-and-grindingg/199968/1 "2025-04-24T01:45:48Z")
I need HELP! I have a horrible rapid knocking and grinding noise when I turn my steering wheel. I had the steering wheel pump replaced and it is still making that noise. The Mechanic said the noise will stop as there is air in the lines. I’m starting to wonder if he REALLY replaced it and charged me. He said there were no leaks in the rack and pinon. Any thoughts? ---
**Author:** ![davesmopar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/davesmopar/32/41750_2.png) [@davesmopar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davesmopar)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2025, 2:16am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/steering-wheel-pump-was-changed-and-when-i-turn-the-wheel-it-is-still-knocking-and-grindingg/199968/2 "2025-04-24T02:16:11Z")
Knowing the year, make, model, mileage, engine size and even 4WD/AWD or not will help us help you better… BTW, your mechanic should have bleed the air out of the system before returning the keys to you, I highly recommend finding a shop with great reviews to properly diagnose your issue(s)… Next time you drive your car, before you turn the engine off, turn the steering wheel all the way to lock either CW or CCW and while holding it there turn the engine off, next drive turn the wheel all the way to lock the other way then last time, do this a few times both ways should bleed the air out of the system, make sure to not let the fluid get low… You can also just start the car and turn the wheel to lock and turn it off, then walk away from the car for 20-30 minutes and then come back and do it again but turn the wheel the other way… do this multiple times, IF it is air in the system then that should bleed the air out… But you still might have something totally different wrong with your car, like something loose in the steering & suspension… Have it checked out by a shop that is able to do alignments or at least does front end (undercar) work… Again, we NEED your vehicle information to really help… ---
**Author:** ![cigroller](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c68b51/32.png) [@cigroller](https://community.cartalk.com/u/cigroller)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2025, 3:36am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/steering-wheel-pump-was-changed-and-when-i-turn-the-wheel-it-is-still-knocking-and-grindingg/199968/3 "2025-04-24T03:36:05Z")
I think that you need a different mechanic. As @davesmopar mentioned, you should not get a vehicle back after a steering pump replacement if it hasn’t already been properly bled. In addition, there are other things than can cause that kind of a noise. As far as whether or not the pump was really replaced, you can “eyeball” that (but it would be odd if it wasn’t replaced). You need to check the power steering fluid anyway (see your owner’s manual). You will be checking at the reservoir which will be attached to the pump. Without make/model/year I can’t give more detail. But something right around there should look rather shiny and new. ---
**Author:** ![Nevada\_545](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nevada_545/32/41232_2.png) [@Nevada\_545](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Nevada_545)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2025, 4:20am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/steering-wheel-pump-was-changed-and-when-i-turn-the-wheel-it-is-still-knocking-and-grindingg/199968/4 "2025-04-24T04:20:05Z")
> [@Karen-Hammond](#): > > The Mechanic said the noise will stop as there is air in the lines. The foam in the fluid will separate and the air will rise to the top when the engine is off. Leave the engine off for 30 minutes, then refill the reservoir before starting the engine. Repeat if necessary. > [@Need help fast! honda pilot 2004](https://community.cartalk.com/t/need-help-fast-honda-pilot-2004/199480/1): > > Honda said it could be the bushings, tie rod and U joints. Did you take the vehicle to the service department for inspection? The joints in the intermediate shaft could be noisy, a demonstration of the problem would help. ---
**Author:** ![glasspilot](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/glasspilot/32/27886_2.png) [@glasspilot](https://community.cartalk.com/u/glasspilot)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2025, 11:35am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/steering-wheel-pump-was-changed-and-when-i-turn-the-wheel-it-is-still-knocking-and-grindingg/199968/5 "2025-04-24T11:35:43Z")
Sounds like the problem is in the rack. But the garage changed the power steering pump? The pumps usually easier to replace than the rack. So he made a quick buck, but didn’t solve your problem. ---
**Author:** ![davesmopar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/davesmopar/32/41750_2.png) [@davesmopar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davesmopar)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2025, 1:41pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/steering-wheel-pump-was-changed-and-when-i-turn-the-wheel-it-is-still-knocking-and-grindingg/199968/6 "2025-04-24T13:41:09Z")
Is this part 2 with the same vehicle and problem you had that was being “fixed” on March 14th?? If so, it would have been nice to have kept it all in one thread… ---
**Author:** ![db4690](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/db4690/32/2583_2.png) [@db4690](https://community.cartalk.com/u/db4690)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2025, 2:28pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/steering-wheel-pump-was-changed-and-when-i-turn-the-wheel-it-is-still-knocking-and-grindingg/199968/7 "2025-04-24T14:28:54Z")
based on the limited information, it sounds like a noise in the steering column somewhere ---
**Author:** ![glasspilot](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/glasspilot/32/27886_2.png) [@glasspilot](https://community.cartalk.com/u/glasspilot)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2025, 2:36pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/steering-wheel-pump-was-changed-and-when-i-turn-the-wheel-it-is-still-knocking-and-grindingg/199968/8 "2025-04-28T14:36:09Z")
I once owned a 1988 Olds Ciera. It had the rack and pinion steering. Many GM cars from that era developed problems with the rack. It would slowly wear. When you started the car cold the steering would bind up. So I would wiggle the wheel back and forth a couple times and it would be normal the rest of the day. But if you let it go long enough it could be dangerous. I was driving a longer trip, St. Louis to Cleveland. At highway speeds I would get a shimmy, it was kinda scary. When my girlfriend and I got to her parents house they recommended a close garage that they trusted. I took the Olds over there and long story short, they said they were familiar with this GM problem and they had replaced many of them. They said they could do it in 2 days (we were going to be in Cleveland for awhile). I said “Do it”. It was a fair price. When we headed out for North Carolina I noticed how smooth it was at highway speeds. Problem solved. ---
**Author:** ![davesmopar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/davesmopar/32/41750_2.png) [@davesmopar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davesmopar)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2025, 2:46pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/steering-wheel-pump-was-changed-and-when-i-turn-the-wheel-it-is-still-knocking-and-grindingg/199968/9 "2025-04-28T14:46:42Z")
It seems that the OP makes (some) panic type threads and then never responds back to them… I look at a few and none had her ever responding… Panic type being all CAPS for help etc… > [@I need advice please!](https://community.cartalk.com/t/i-need-advice-please/138306): > > I NEED ADVICE!!! I have a dilemma. I have a 2004 Honda Pilot with 90,000 on it with no payments and a Nissan Sentra 2016 with only 7,000 on it with 5 more years of payments. I have to get rid of one of them. I am the only bread winner in my home. I have to make an intelligent decision on which one to get rid of. Now, I understand the Pilot with proper maintenance will last for years to come if it is taken care of which I have. The Nissan, I read in several reviews has problems down the road wi… > [@Nissan Sentra Problems 2016 NEED ADVICE](https://community.cartalk.com/t/nissan-sentra-problems-2016-need-advice/138354): > > Needing advice… What problems have my Car Talk friends and or mechanics experienced with the 2016 Nissan Sentra? I also want to thank all the replies I have received to my earlier discussion if I should keep my 2004 Honda with 90,000 or keep my Nissan Sentra with 6,000 with 5 more years of payments at 450 a month. This is why I am asking about the Nissan Sentra. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thank you, Karen > [@Need help fast! honda pilot 2004](https://community.cartalk.com/t/need-help-fast-honda-pilot-2004/199480): > > Hello Car Talk Friends, I need help FAST! I have a 2004 Honda Pilot and has 150,000 miles on it. When I turn the steering wheel sitting still or driving. it makes a fire rapid recession, metal on metal repeated knocking noise. Honda said it could be the bushings, tie rod and U joints. I go tomorrow to get it fixed and need to know if any Car Talk friends have had this before. What could it be? Any thoughts on the problem? > [@Correct air conditioner hoses..i need help!](https://community.cartalk.com/t/correct-air-conditioner-hoses-i-need-help/176653): > > What are the correct air conditioner hoses to be used on a 2004 Honda Pilot? When I reached out to a parts store they could not locate on the computer which ones I needed. Any advice? Thank you. ---
**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2025, 3:07pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/steering-wheel-pump-was-changed-and-when-i-turn-the-wheel-it-is-still-knocking-and-grindingg/199968/10 "2025-04-28T15:07:20Z")
Inquiring minds want to know . Did Karen sell the Nissan and how did that work out ? ---
**Author:** ![davesmopar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/davesmopar/32/41750_2.png) [@davesmopar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davesmopar)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2025, 3:17pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/steering-wheel-pump-was-changed-and-when-i-turn-the-wheel-it-is-still-knocking-and-grindingg/199968/11 "2025-04-28T15:17:18Z")
Since she has a habit of not answering, we may never know… ---
**Author:** ![Karen-Hammond](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/a587f6/32.png) [@Karen-Hammond](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Karen-Hammond)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2025, 1:32am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/steering-wheel-pump-was-changed-and-when-i-turn-the-wheel-it-is-still-knocking-and-grindingg/199968/12 "2025-05-12T01:32:56Z")
2004 Honda Pilot with 150,000 miles.