Power Steering Noise

[vn_calais]

Being a bit lazy, I did not check my power steering fluid for several months.
Until I was driving home from work one day and I heard this groan/moan noise which was definately coming from the steering.

Popped the bonnet and realised the power steering fluid was empty.

I filled the fluid to the max level, but the steering still makes the noise, just now its only about half as loud.

Since then the fluid leaks a little bit(obviously always has), like 1mm or so a week on the dip stick, which is nothing too major.

I noticed that on turning left the noise gets a lot louder, but on a hard turn right, for example around a round-a-bout, it almost dissapears.

Any help before I shell out money and take it to a mechanic?

 

[fallen]

if the fluid is fine the pump sounds rooted.... the noise is from the pump yeah?
i had this sound for many months as i had a leak i couldnt seem to fix, and despite runnin on empty quite a few times my pump is still fine...

 

[StealthX]

Dude... NOT GOOD! If its making a Whirring Noise! GET IT FIXED NOW!, its your power steering arm & pinion the seals after years lossen and causes your fluid to leak.

Power Steering fluid burns on intence heat.. as i found out first hand one night. Driving home "oh yeah power steering is leaking again".. it dropped onto the Manifold and caught alite ive seen this happen 4 times (happened to my mate in Melbourne on the same night it happened to mine).

Get it into a servo and get it fixed... get in early you may be able to save your power steering rack and pinion.. unfortunetly mine was #@%@ed and i had to splurge for a $560 for a new Rack & Pinion

Take advice and dont put it off any longer

 

[richie83]

Mine does the old moan and groan too. The pump was overhauled (by previous owner) about a month before I bought it, and the sound started about another 12 months after I had bought it. In the coming weeks, it'll be a new pump, which hopefully isn't too costly. For a TEMPORARY fix, just keep the fluid well topped up.

 

[Crimin8]

id say youre looking at a new power steering rack...

 

[sk1p]

Mine groans on full lock, I've been told thats normal?

 

[ViperVp]

mine groans on about 80%- full turn... server on next thruday should get it all looked at and fixed.

 

[Nikkojoe]

mine groans on full lock, but i think mine is on the way out.....

 

[Bec]

All cars I've driven have groaned on full lock...you should always back off a few inches to avoid damaging the system. If it still groans then I guess it's on the way out.
Bec :wave:

 

[ViperVp]

if i bac it off from full lock the it quiten;s down then can't here it

Blond solution: Take you left hand onto the Radio Volume knob....