Is the fluid level correct?
If so, loosen the cap and turn the steering from side to side several times with a break in between. This will help release or burp any air bubbles. Monitor fluid level and add as necessary.

If not fill with the correct "okay for Honda" power steering fluid-yes Honda's don't use "normal" power steering fluid or atf.

Which leads to the question-what did they put in? I suspect the wrong type of fluid may have been used.

 

Thanks for the quick reply Rocky. We did discuss the Honda specific fluid and the mechanic said they did use it. I will try the burping remedy later this evening and I'll report back in.

 

I might suggest doing the burping process with the front wheels off the ground. I have had a lot more success in this configuration. When I put a new pump on, it took a while to get all the air out...........probably went back and forth at least 30-40 times.

 

I had a similar situation with my Acura TL. Noises when you turn the wheel. Could very be a bad o-ring on the housing where the hose connects. Check out the attached video and see if it applies.

YouTube - ‪Power steering leak Acura/Honda‬‏

 

I had a similar situation with my Acura TL. Noises when you turn the wheel. Could very be a bad o-ring on the housing where the hose connects. Check out the attached video and see if it applies.

YouTube - ‪Power steering leak Acura/Honda‬‏

Thank You so much!!! I have found the problem! I just replaced the timing belt and other components with Dayco part # WP286K1CS; I comes with everything you need - including a new water pump. I did not disconnect the P/S pump hoses and left it on the side - putting a little bit of stress on that o-ring. When I started the engine, I notice the whining noise and the foaming fluid inside the reservoir. I did not have that noise before the repair. I am going to replace that o-ring right away!

 

Thanks guys. I didn't have any luck initially with burping it. I will check that o-ring from the video and let you know what I find out.

 

Make sure the new hose isn't touching the body anywhere or kinked.

 

The video is 100% correct. Use a 10mm wobble socket because nothing else will fit. Once you buy that socket it is a 10 min fix.

 

Ummmm? 10 minute fix? I've been on this site rereading this thread so many times I lost count. 2004 Pilot, same crappy whine as the rest apparently. There is no way in gods earth a 10mm socket with a swivel and extension is fitting in there. I've taken off all the shrouding except for what's covering the timing belt. How was this done in 10 minutes? I've got a Husky tool set and the socket itself is so long I can't fit the ratchet on...? What did you do?

 

I've replaced this o-ring on 3 different hondas. All three times, it fixed the noisy power steering. Be sure to get the newest rubber-compound orange o-ring.

All three vehicles started acting up as soon as the weather got pretty cold outside.

 

Just replaced mine with on my 2004 Pilot EX with OEM Honda part#91345-RDA-A01. The OEM gasket is orange. I had to use a small 10mm comination wrench to get to the bolt, but it's not hard to do at all. Word of warning, let the motor cool down before attempting to fix.

 

Just to clear up a few things, the replacement gasket is the orange one. The OEM gasket will be black, if never replaced. The total for me to get parts from PensacolaHonda was $7 and some odd cents, this included power steering fluid as well. My dealership is awesome!!!! Hats off to 'em.:29:

 

We own a 2004 with the same problem. The dealer wanted $600 to replace the steering pump, I done it myself for around $185. But still have a whining sound that is driving the wife nuts. I have replaced the fluid twice, burped twice but still there.

Guess I'll try the o-rings next. The O-rings were replaced when I changed the pump. They were not OEM.

I notice it more when it's cold or the vehicle is sitting still while turning the wheels.

Thanks for the info on the O-rings. Hopefully after replacment the wife will be happier.

 

Replaced the pump again. Guess the 1st pump I purchased was bad. Now all is good.

 

Very easy to change out, watch that video beforehand, some good pointers.

 

Regarding original post - amazing. The mechanic should have fixed that air bubble issue even before you picked the car up...

 

Our pilot is a 2007 with ~140k. It has the towing package with p/s cooler, installed at the dealer when new.

Groaning started a few weeks back, with the help of this thread and the youtube video I purchased and installed the new o-ring. I was able to do it with just a standard craftsman 10mm combination wrench. Its awkward, and I could only turn a bit (1/32 turn?) at a time, but it went back in.

I burped it with the wheels on the ground. Seemed to fix temporarily, but we still have the sound. Is there some trick, or specific sequence, to burping this system? Anything different I need to do with the p/s cooler?

I'll jack it up with the wheels off the ground tonight, and check if there is a bleed screw on the cooler somewhere.

 

Any bubbles/frothing should work their way out of the system but it may take time. I had a loud whine when I did my timing belt but it was gone the next morning. If after a couple days you still have whine, there may be a pump issue. Oh, and be sure to check and make sure there is sufficient fluid. The level will drop as air bubbles work their way out.

 

Just did this repair and replaced the fluid. Pilot with 147K. Great write up. Simple and inexpensive fix. Thanks.
ps. Did it with a 10mm closed end wrench. Moved the wire harness out of the way, bent the harness bracket just enough for the wrench to make a progress. Lost of threads, takes some patience.

 

The little lady just returned from a weekend trip that involved a 5 hour each way drive in which she borrowed my new used 07 Pilot. Somewhere in the process it has developed quite the whine (with RPMs in park or while driving) coming from the power steering pump. The PS fluid level looked good and the steering was actually a bit loose and not binding. I am hoping the whine is from the o-ring mentioned above and I have ordered one in the hopes it will be the solution to this problem. Would the sudden warming in the northeast this weekend aided in the part failing?

 

vtm?

has anyone heard of changing the rear differential vtm4 fluid and how that will stop the whining noise? I have a severe noise on my 06 and if the rear fluid won't fix it, did the oring actually work for you guys?

 

Power Steering Problem - 2007 Pilot

I have a similar problem with my 2007 Pilot (EX-L) - currently has 75K.

The problem is most noticeable after a long drive on the highway with the engine and fluids warm. After I exit the highway, and start making sharper turns is when you can notice it.

I shot this video after a 1.5 hour highway drive.
2007 Honda Pilot - Power Steering Problem - YouTube

As you can see and hear, the grinding noise seems to be coming from the PS pump/hose when the wheel is turned. It is less, but still noticeable when the wheel is stationary/centered. To me...it almost sounds like a bad bearing/casing on the pulley.

I also have not noticed any leakage from PS fluid reservoir.

I will likely try the O-ring fix this weekend. But curious to hear feedback.

Thanks.

 

Maxpower. Same exact symptoms here. The video could have been my Pilot! I find it odd where most power steering noises occur in cold temps mine only arose when it was warm and the vehicle was driven over 1.5 hours. After the first day of the whine appearing I purchased the new o ring and multiple bottles of Honda ps fluid to change out the older fluid. Of course after I bought the supplies the problem vanished and has not returned although the weather has been cold and the Pilot has not been driven longer than 1.5 hours per trip. Still intend to do the work but just monitoring the situation now.

 

Replaced the o ring and swapped out my power steering fluid yesterday. Definitely find the smallest 10mm wrench you can and even then you have to get creative and have a bit of patience for the removal of the o ring. After almost two days of driving the whine has not returned...so far so good.

 

This thread needs to be sticky-ed! If anybody is looking for a DIY with photos, there is one on the Drive Accord forum.

And yes the bolt is a real PITA to remove...

 

Fixed!

Huge thanks to the Piloteers community and the folks on this thread. I had this exact problem happen to me, replaced both O-rings and flushed the system according to the instructions in the posted video and everything was fixed. No more whining sound coming from the engine.

I wanted to add a note about that dreaded bolt, I found a set of "miniature" wrenches at the hardware store and the 10mm wrench worked like a charm with almost no monkey business.

Sears.com

 

Thank You

I have a 2006 Pilot with 150k mikes on it. Same issues with the whining noise coming with the steering wheel turned. I replaced the O-Ring as recommended using a 10mm wobble (flex) socket and the problem is fixed. The socket I purchase was the Craftsman 10mm Sockrt, 6 pt. Flex. Item 0094320100. $8.49. I used this and a small 1/4" extension to remove the dreaded bolt. Thank to the OP and for the video. Another few hundred bucks saved using this great forum. Much appreciated.

 

I replaced the O-ring on the suction side of the power steering pump on my '04 Pilot today. It is very difficult getting to that 10mm bolt holding the suction hose fitting to the PS pump. Here's a better way: loosen up the bolt and 2 nuts that hold the power steering pump in place. Don't completely remove them, just unthread them enough so that the PS pump basically just flops around. There is one 12mm bolt in back that the PS pump pivots on. There is one 12mm nut underneath the pump. And there is the 12mm nut used to adjust the tension. Loosen the tension nut a lot. At this point the PS pump should be very loose. Next, slide off the PS pump belt. Loosening all 3 PS pump bolts/nuts and removing the belt will literally give you extra wiggle room to get to that 10mm bolt holding the suction hose to the PS pump. Using this method, I used a standard 12 point 10mm wrench to loosen the 10mm bolt. Easy peesy.