Replaced Power steering resevoir , and now i have a whining noise!

[beny87]

Was wondering if any one had any ideas?? I recently brought a 2001 VX ss but she has not been looked after from the last owner and he had it 2 years.

My Power steering resevoir bracket was snapped so i got a repacement, i drained fluids from the rack . Then replaced tank and toped up to maximum, I then turned the steering wheel from lock to lock a few times with the front end higher then the back to bleed any air from system.

Then drove it at low speeds going full lock left anf right for a period of time , and now i have a whining noise when steering. I believe this is lack of fluid in the pump but the level has stayed the same , have i missed something vital out!

Im worried if i drive it long distances i could damage the rack or the pump, I had no noises steering before i done this. It definetly was due replacing any way as it was black, has any one got any ideas??

Thanks a lot

Ben

[glenn l]

sounds like it is airrating.

[beny87]

I have searched on here but read diffrent thing like its the pump/rack/needs greasing on the firewall/ lower pully belt/steering wheel need greasing but as it didnt do it intill i replaced the fluid , im guessing its air in the system? im prety sure the resevoir isnt sealed so it should really disperse its self? am i correct?

[cander24]

Yes sounds like it could be airating. What does it say on the top of your reservoir cap? The reservoirs are notorious for doing this so Holden has subsequently revised their design to stop this. They are identified by a different cap and the body is usually a much clearer plastic.
Also check you haven't spilled anything on the serpentine belt. Just a tiny bit of fluid will cause it to whine/squeal. This can be fixed by spraying silicon spray/belt grip or similar onto it.
Otherwise, the process you've followed to bleed it is fine

[beny87]

Thanks mate i will have a look what cap the original resevoir had on and also spray the serpintine beltwith silicone , i surpose i tiny bit could of got on there as i did disconect both hoses...
Thanks again

[brad_m_is]

how long have u been driving it? it usually takes a few days for all the air to get out of the system and return to being fully quiet. if its not quiet after a week of driving then i would start looking at things

[COOLVS]

you can also bleed the system by turning the wheels one way and back the other whilst the car is turned off (yes very heavy to turn)
i have done this and the whine is gone, oh keep the resovoir cap off as the air will bubble back through it

[nitrowarrior]

Other thing to consider is perhaps an additive was used in the rack before such as Lucas Stop Leak Steering Rack additive..........Could be......Have seen it happen before...this could indicate worn rack, worn pump...etc........if you still dont get it to shut up, try the lucas product, other wise new p/s pump, and depending on how notchy your rack is, New Rack....If you near East Gippsland i have a number of parts vehicles that have the items you need on them....other wise any wrecker will help you with a serviceable item that they will exchange if faulty

[beny87]

Thanks for everyones help! Ive drove it for a couple of hundred k and i think it seems better, im going to leave it till thursday then if its still happening investigate further.
Im looked for the Lucas stop leak steering additve in SCA just wanted to put it in for the hell of it, but couldent find any so im going to look else were. any ideas? if i do end up needing parts i will keep you in mind nitro!


coolvs are you sure you can turn the wheels with the engine off??? it seems solid even with the keys in the ignition. Ive done it many times while in a car park but not made much diffrent.


Cander24 , i tried spraying the belt with silicone while it was running to get a the belt but no diffrent. what the diffrence with the revised resevoir then?? Heres a picture of my cap.

[cander24]

Here's what the revised model looks like. They have different makings on the cap and the body is a clearer plastic. I am unsure of exactly what is changed, just that the internal construction is slightly different as the earlier design fault often causes airation in the system. They came out from vz model onward im pretty sure.

[edals]

It Would just be air in the system mate. When i did my power steering pump took a few days. Just make sure the level is all good.
if you really want jack the front of the car up so both wheels are off the ground, then turn the wheels while the car is off :-)