screeching power steering

[dturbo]

Hi All,

Sorting out a 2000 (early facelift) vts. Got a noise from steering. Steering works fine but there's like a metallic screeching noise from somewhere I think it sounds like it comes from the rack itself, but could be the pump - hard to pinpoint. Basically when the revs are low, there's this noise. High pitched screech from the steering when under load. Sounds a bit like a screeching bearing.

Any thoughts?

Cheers
Craig

[MartinObviously]

Originally Posted by dturbo

Hi All,

Sorting out a 2000 (early facelift) vts. Got a noise from steering. Steering works fine but there's like a metallic screeching noise from somewhere I think it sounds like it comes from the rack itself, but could be the pump - hard to pinpoint. Basically when the revs are low, there's this noise. High pitched screech from the steering when under load. Sounds a bit like a screeching bearing.

Any thoughts?

Cheers
Craig

The power steering is an electric pump, it's not affected by engine rpm. However there is more load on the steering rack when driving at low speeds. it might be worth changing the PAS fluid for fresh stuff. you'll need an oil syringe to extract the old fluid. it should be bright red, if it isn't its needing changed.

[dturbo]

That's the weird thing about it. It happens even when the car is sitting not moving. I appreciate it is an electric pump. The fluid is bright red, I'll double check the level.

Unless it's a bad bearing in the alternator or the tensioner? turn the wheel, put more electrical load on etc. I'll maybe pop the aux belt off and see if it goes away.

Or maybe it's an iffy PAS pump. I'll also try disconnecting the power to the pump and see what happens.

But you can't think of anything in the rack itself that could screech?

Lots to do on this car but I think it's worth saving. Looks great (in my eyes anyway..)





Thanks
Craig

[stevo67]

Have you lowered the car mate?Are the wheels catching on anything?

[MartinObviously]

Can't think of anything that would screech on the rack itself

Good idea to check the alternator and belt though!

The power steering relay is the top most one in the engine bay fuse box. some are green, some are orange depending on spec/year etc. Good idea to pull that when the car is making the noise.

My diesel power steering used to vibrate in such a way that made me think the engine mount had collapsed, but the power steering felt fine - like yours it only happened at idle.

[stevo67]

I'm thinking the tyres might be scrubbing/catching on something?

[dturbo]

It has come to me lowered , yes. There is no catching or rubbing. It makes this noise stationery if you load up the steering anyway. Doesn't always do it. I'll try the relay pull to power down the pump and then if not that remove the aux belt.

Kinda wish it wasn't lowered tbh but seems most are!

[dturbo]

Got to the bottom of this tonight. Bottom pulley. I scored the inner and outer part with a straight edge, ran the engine and made the noise happen (full lock on steering). Did it a few times then stopped the engine. I then had 2 lines about 30 Degrees apart!

New bottom pulley time! Just came to me today that it could be that. Glad it did!