Over-filled power steering

[seasickstevie]

The power steering on my Vauxhall Antara has to be topped up every several weeks. It get extremely noisy after a while if not topped up to the correct level.
I don't know if driving it when it's noisy harms the pump in any way - which I have done, as initially I didn't know where the noise was coming from.
Asked the mechanic I use to sort it, but he always seems too busy.

Problem is, I've stupidly now filled it to the brim, which you're obviously not supposed to.

Can't figure out how to remove some of the fluid. Any suggestions?

 

[stevie888]

I have a turkey baster for jobs like this. All controlled and you can put the excess back in the pot if you've a mind dto.

 

[DiyNutJob]

The noise comes from the pump when fluid is low. Needing top ups means you have a leak. Follow the hoses connecting the reservoir and the pump to locate the leak. The leak would be at the highest point where you can see leaked oil. If you have no tools, you can soak up the excess with unwanted cloth. You are not dealing with that much oil. For some reservoirs, there is a hole in the cap. The excess would be thrown out by the car itself.

 

[Avocet]

The power steering on my Vauxhall Antara has to be topped up every several weeks. It get extremely noisy after a while if not topped up to the correct level.
I don't know if driving it when it's noisy harms the pump in any way - which I have done, as initially I didn't know where the noise was coming from.
Asked the mechanic I use to sort it, but he always seems too busy.

Problem is, I've stupidly now filled it to the brim, which you're obviously not supposed to.

Can't figure out how to remove some of the fluid. Any suggestions?

As Stevie888 suggests, something like a baster or a plastic horse syringe is the easiest way:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/168308870501?_skw=large+syringe&itmmeta=01KZ92TDW9CDT53W6S0VJNW7R6&hash=item272ffd8d65:g:8HoAAeSwYi9p3o1b&itmprp=enc%3AAQALAAAAwGfYFPkwiKCW4ZNSs2u11xAa1KISMM6kR0MQJu8LPJlJ8EUUEkUHAwjUnjjj2UfYM6xN49RFvgtPvtDFWJ3mCJtJKTMoJWtuuLwui7fWnXdXeWYRrlzN2ITSGUvtSf%2FsjtYAal8ZKshAhzJyj5eZmWN%2Fo1csSaOTnAomlESlUyZ7jfNvzhqgjDJmLKQU6FJBhWTdvnN2sxnKc%2BB0dh68KSHnkPeiamfWZYST5PxLZ7emXet%2Fd7OHu4dTgAd4BAqmIg%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABlBMULbe6aL6Zw

Note that a lot of them will have their rubber seals attacked by mineral oils, so treat them as disposable.

The level is set by the manufacturer to allow room for the fluid to expand when hot, but if you're not bothered about the mess, it won't do the system any harm to be over-filled, it will just blow the excess out of the breather in the reservoir and drip everywhere.

If you can't see a leak, grab the rubber gaiters on each end of the steering rack and squeeze. The fluid could be leaking past the piston end seals and into the gaiters - which, unfortunately, means a reconditioned rack.

The noise is probably from the pump, caused be air bubbles as it sucks air because the fluid is too low. Short term, it's irritating but unlikely to cause any real harm. Long term, it will lead to additional wear on the pump moving parts, as they're also lubricated by the fluid.

 

[johnny2007]

One of these is usually found in a bathroom.