Power steering problem on 2006 Pilot - Honda Pilot

txmotorjock · 06-23-2011, 09:21 AM

Hey guys, my wife and I own a 2006 2wd Pilot with 80000 miles on it. We recently had a local mechanic replace the serpentine belt and idler pulley as well as the high pressure power steering hose. The hose had been leaking and it was recommended we replace it. We picked the vehicle up after the repairs were made and noticed a whining noise when the steering wheel is turned. It sounds like the power steering pump is causing the noise. The mechanic said there may still be some air bubbles in the system and the noise will go away with time. We have driven it for several days and it doesn't seem to be improving. Any help is appreciated.

rocky · 06-23-2011, 09:39 AM

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.

txmotorjock · 06-23-2011, 10:04 AM

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.

jmbauer · 06-23-2011, 10:10 AM

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.

rka4570 · 06-23-2011, 12:30 PM

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

txmotorjock · 06-23-2011, 09:29 PM

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.

belundy · 06-30-2011, 02:05 PM

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

Pilot and S2 · 07-26-2011, 12:50 AM

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.

94eg! · 07-26-2011, 12:13 PM

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.

hp2004 · 01-28-2012, 05:47 PM

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.

hp2004 · 01-28-2012, 11:23 PM

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.

bsummers12 · 02-04-2012, 12:20 PM

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.

hp2004 · 02-04-2012, 09:44 PM

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

bsummers12 · 02-13-2012, 05:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bsummers12

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.

06-23-2011, 09:21 AM	#1 (permalink)
txmotorjock Registered User Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: TX Posts: 3 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Power steering problem on 2006 Pilot Hey guys, my wife and I own a 2006 2wd Pilot with 80000 miles on it. We recently had a local mechanic replace the serpentine belt and idler pulley as well as the high pressure power steering hose. The hose had been leaking and it was recommended we replace it. We picked the vehicle up after the repairs were made and noticed a whining noise when the steering wheel is turned. It sounds like the power steering pump is causing the noise. The mechanic said there may still be some air bubbles in the system and the noise will go away with time. We have driven it for several days and it doesn't seem to be improving. Any help is appreciated.

06-23-2011, 09:39 AM	#2 (permalink)
rocky Super Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Red Sox Nation Posts: 7,172 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	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. __________________ https://www.facebook.com/pages/Chris...19131498101662 Last edited by rocky; 06-23-2011 at 11:02 AM.

06-30-2011, 02:05 PM	#7 (permalink)
belundy Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 480 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Make sure the new hose isn't touching the body anywhere or kinked. __________________ BE '03 Pilot EX '02 Highlander '01 Civic EX

07-26-2011, 12:50 AM	#8 (permalink)
Pilot and S2 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: sunny so cal Posts: 56 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	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. __________________ Silver Pilot - Wife's New Formula Red S2000 - Mine Anthracite M5 - Beater

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06-23-2011, 10:04 AM	#3 (permalink)
txmotorjock Registered User Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: TX Posts: 3 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	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.

06-23-2011, 10:10 AM	#4 (permalink)
jmbauer Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 2 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	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.

06-23-2011, 09:29 PM	#6 (permalink)
txmotorjock Registered User Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: TX Posts: 3 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	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.

07-26-2011, 12:13 PM	#9 (permalink)
94eg! Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 640 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	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.

01-28-2012, 05:47 PM	#10 (permalink)
hp2004 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Pensacola, Florida Posts: 81 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	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.

01-28-2012, 11:23 PM	#11 (permalink)
hp2004 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Pensacola, Florida Posts: 81 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	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.

02-04-2012, 12:20 PM	#12 (permalink)
bsummers12 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Ohio Posts: 2 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	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.

02-04-2012, 09:44 PM	#13 (permalink)
hp2004 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Pensacola, Florida Posts: 81 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Very easy to change out, watch that video beforehand, some good pointers.

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