Thanks all who have posted threads on saving money. My daughter's 2003 S power steering went out after 150k miles. Instead of going down to the dealer and giving up 550.00 for a new unit, I saw where many of you had cleaned out the pump motors. The pump had intermittently operated in cooler weather to suggest it wasn't completely worn out. After several weeks now, we pulled the motor out, opened up the windings/brushes area and remove an enormous amount of carbon residual. What a mess but with an air compressor and a clean brush, amazing what you can do. The brushes were about 50% worn. We then opened the pump end, removed the circlip to inspect. We then slightly open the electric circuit board section and blew out additional brush material that had worked it's way inside. I know we were taking a chance to pull the pump out, not knowing if the effort was worth it.
We put it back together and reinstalled and after probably 3 hours of work to complete, the pump is working again properly, just like new.
We will pull it again in another 50k to check/replace the brushes.
Thanks to all of you who continue to add great info for many of us that really don't want to use the dealers, knowing we can do much of this ourselves.

 

That's awesome. Thanks!

~p

 

Good to hear you were able to salvage the original. I would still have a replacement handy just in case.

 

Sounds like you likely did 90% of the workmof a rebuild...add new brushes, and it would be what folks get for $$.
Unfortunately, the cheap rebuilds fail because the electronics have been dammaged by heat/electicly conductive dust....but if it works, tge rebuilds saves everybody some $$. Since the brushes were not yet worn out, it sounds like you might yet get some life out of the pump. Good job!!

 

Thanks for the comments. Too many people just want to go the easy route. The pump runs continously and leaves alot of carbon residue to affect it's operation. Not a good design but a way to make them work again. I will buy the brushes soon so I can replace in about 50k.