Hey guys,
So I got a 97 SH in August and lately I've been noticing a moaning/groaning noise from the power steering system. It only happens when accelerating from a dead stop, and it makes the moaning sound only for a split second, then is gone. It really only happens when the car is cold.
Has anyone had a similiar problem on their Prelude?
I've checked the fluid, which was fine, and I checked the belt tension and even tightened it a little, and it still has the same problem.
I know it could be air trapped in the system (needs to be bled), but before I do that, I wanted to see if any Prelude owners ever had this problem. I have an EG but it's a DX so it has no power steering, so I haven't really worked with the Honda power steering systems before.

Any ideas?

 

Hey I have the same problem with my 97 base. I have heard that it is the sway bar ends links that are the cause of that noise. I not sure though, it only does it when its pretty cold outside and you hit the gas too fast.

 

are you sure it isnt your abs priming?

 

Really? The sway bar? Hmmm. I thought I've heard bushing noise before on my EG, after I lowered it, but it turns out it was the ingalls engineering camber kit.

It could be the sway bar, however, it does sound like it comes from the power steering, but then again, it will do it, say for example, when starting from a dead stop on a hill, and when I am not turning the wheel.

As for the ABS priming, good point, but I don't think it is this either. I've never heard the noise before, and I've driven many cars with ABS. Plus, it may happen a couple of times on a 45 minute commute, not just once. Also, it is only happening when the ambient temperature outside is cold, like below 60. Yesterday and today, near me, the weather has been a little warmer, like 60-70 and it hasn't happened once.

I'll check the sway bar out this weekend, and I'll let u guys know what I find.
Thanks again!

 

Let me know what you find, I have had this creaking/popping problem since I have owned the car. Now that is it getting cold I am sure it will start happening again.

 

if a power pump gos bad it loud as hell and is present at all rpm ranges.i dose sound like a suspension problem when you gas it from a dead stop you front end raises a little.

 

Right, my thinking exactly. I know they are supposed to make a moaning noise when they are going bad, but it is not prolonged nor is it extremely loud. This leads me to believe it could be a suspension problem, and I'm gonna have to throw it up on some jackstands this weekend and see what's up, I'll let ya guys know.
Thanks again for the help.

 

Did you ever figure this out? My 97 makes a groaning noise when it is cold and the car turns. Car has to be rolling so not sure if power steering related. Had wheel brgs. replaced and no better. Any ideas.

 

No such thing as hitting the gas too fast.

 

sway bar struts?