Usually the power steering pump noise problem on first gen Pilots is an o-ring gasket leaking/sucking air, it is cheap to replace. The improved gasket is orange in color. Continued noise usually means air trapped in the system, the techs didn't follow the proper fill/bleed procedure. See:

http://www.piloteers.org/forums/14-problems/28436-power-steering-problem-2006-pilot.html

If doing the bleed procedure makes it worse not better, there is a leak in the system.

 

Thanks Hangfire. Actually, we had the unit replaced about 5 months ago. Noise was severely less, but still present.

I took the car in for all the other maintenance, and asked about the PS noise. I don't think they took much time to look at it. When we first got the unit back, I was not concerned about the PS noise, because the performance was severely hindered. This led on the rollercoaster ride of replacing the unit (two more times). They felt it was fixed.

When I drove it, while better than when I first got it, was still stiffer (not as strongly assistive if that's a word to say) and I complained again. At this point, they took the car back, test drove it four more times, determining only on the fourth time that there is an issue when turning sharply on a slow speed. Then they decided that it was the Rack and Pinion.

 

UPDATE. I went ahead and got the Rack & Pinion replaced. This actually resolved the whole issue. I am not sure why this decided to fail at teh same time i had the 120k work done, but am happy that the problem has gone away.

 

Reviving an old thread!
My 2009 Honda Pilot (222,000 miles) is having very wobbly and funny steering and I am considering replacing the rack and pinion. What was the cost? From where did you get the parts and had it installed? Which parts did you replace? Can you share your experience?

 

Explanations are many, coincidence, debris from the failed power steering pump took out the R&P, improper bleeding.

Glad you got it sorted, too bad it costs you a new R&P install!

 

Just was hoping someone would respond from this thread, but it was 6 years ago when it was started.
This is a tough but necessary repair if your symptoms are as you stated. Hopefully you own a 2wd. Are you thinking about DIYing this?

 

I've never heard steering described as 'wobbly', but just hearing that word makes me think suspension. I would inspect front struts, rear shocks, and both rear and front sway bar links. It could also be your tie rods and/or ball joints. Any or a combination of those, if worn out, will lead to the vehicle dipping into corners and a wobbly feeling, and could definitely cause some steering issues (especially if multiple components are bad).

Funny steering - I really have no idea what you mean. If it's the rack, you will typically be able to turn the wheel in one direction or the other and it will be relatively non-responsive - that is, you turn it 4 inches to the left and it still points straight (etc.). I wouldn't call that 'funny', I'd call that non-responsive and on the verge of dangerous...

Members on the forum can likely provide more possibilities if you better define/describe the 'funny and wobbly steering' in more detail.

 

So here goes the story: I got the lower control arms and tie rods replaced two months ago. Two days ago, the steering started acting dangerously wobbly. Went to Firestone today and they showed me the passenger control arm is loose!!! I saw it myself. I got under the car and saw the control arm shift more than an inch when the guy turned the steering wheel.
Went back to the shop who did the job a couple months ago. They took the car in and then called me in the technical area a few minutes later and showed me how they did a wonderful job two months ago and nothing was loose.
I got confused because I had just seem that part move with my own eyes. I drove the car out and realized that the steering felt firm and normal as before. Its clear to me that they tightened that bolt and then called me in to show that nothing was wrong in the first place and told me that everyone at Firestone are lying pieces of shit!
I’m relieved nothing is wrong with my car.
I see some bubbles in the PS reservoir but the level of fluid has not decreased for a month now so I guess the rack and pinion is fine!

 

Loose LCA doesn't tighten itself. Bubbles in the PS reservoir may be indicative of air in the system or air entry.

 

It probably was tight - I highly doubt Firestone would let your vehicle out of the shop with a loose control arm. If they did, then that's even worse than your first mechanic who may have simply improperly torqued the nut/bolt.

Regardless, glad you got it fixed.