Assist Check At Road Speed

Check the power steering fluid level and check the pump belt tension. See PUMP BELT under ADJUSTMENTS.
Start the engine, let it warm up to normal operating temperature, and turn the steering wheel lock-to-lock a few times to warm up the fluid.
Stop the engine. To simulate speeds above 62 MPH (100 km/h), disconnect the hoses from the power steering speed sensor and connect them to the special tool. Plug the end of the special tool. See Fig 1 .
Attaching the spring scale to the steering wheel. With the engine idling and the vehicle on the clean, dry floor, pull the scale. See Figure . Rotate the steering wheel more than 90 degrees by pulling the spring scale. Read the figure on the spring scale while the steering wheel is in motion.
If the scale reads less than 5.3 ft. lbs. (24 N.m), the power steering sensor is OK and the problem is in the sensor feed line, the pump, the power steering speed sensor, or the valve body unit. See if the feed line is pinched, or bent, then check the pump. See TROUBLESHOOTING GENERAL .

Fig 1: Connecting Special Tool

Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.