Noisy Power Steering Pump

[NZ_M3]

Common problem unfortunately - it's the piss poor crimping design of the joints to the lines that causes the leaks.

As said above, easier to inspect from the bottom where you can see where everything goes - take the bottom splash guard off - if you have strong hands you can even undo the reservoir cap from underneath and check the level - it'll be noisey if running low - or there's a filter under the reservoir that could be blocked - check that also.

If the pump and reservoir seem fine, then the next possible culprit would be the steering rack - squeez the steering rack end rubber boot on both sides and see if you can feel fluid inside (if the power steering fluid is low and the lines aren't leaking, then it's gotta go somewhere, and likelihood is it'll be in the rack boot) - if you have to, slip the boot off just to be sure.

Let me know if you need help on this one - have had to go through this exercise with mine only to realise that it was the bloody swaybar bushes causing a havac!!

[Mark CSL]

Originally Posted by NZ_M3

Common problem unfortunately - it's the piss poor crimping design of the joints to the lines that causes the leaks.

As said above, easier to inspect from the bottom where you can see where everything goes - take the bottom splash guard off - if you have strong hands you can even undo the reservoir cap from underneath and check the level - it'll be noisey if running low - or there's a filter under the reservoir that could be blocked - check that also.

If the pump and reservoir seem fine, then the next possible culprit would be the steering rack - squeez the steering rack end rubber boot on both sides and see if you can feel fluid inside (if the power steering fluid is low and the lines aren't leaking, then it's gotta go somewhere, and likelihood is it'll be in the rack boot) - if you have to, slip the boot off just to be sure.

Let me know if you need help on this one - have had to go through this exercise with mine only to realise that it was the bloody swaybar bushes causing a havac!!

Thanks for the right up Tom

[NZ_M3]

No problem

Actually I should add, the filter's built into the bottom of the power steering reservoir (so you have to take the whole thing out to clean it - most recommend just replacing the whole thing if it's clogged (it's not an expensive part).

Also our car's power steering fluid is actually automatic transmission fluid, not power steering fluid. Use Castrol Dexron III or IV only.

Here's what a leaking high pressure power steering hose looks like:

[Bealo]

Thanks for the comments but i will be booking the car in for it's inspection 2 soon so i will get the Pro's to look at it as i'm not the best spanner man around

Originally Posted by NZ_M3

No problem

Actually I should add, the filter's built into the bottom of the power steering reservoir (so you have to take the whole thing out to clean it - most recommend just replacing the whole thing if it's clogged (it's not an expensive part).

Also our car's power steering fluid is actually automatic transmission fluid, not power steering fluid. Use Castrol Dexron III or IV only.

Here's what a leaking high pressure power steering hose looks like:

what level was your fluid at,just checked mine & it's closer to min than max

[NZ_M3]

Originally Posted by GAZ345

what level was your fluid at,just checked mine & it's closer to min than max

So long as it's above Min then it's fine ... you don't want to overfill it. When mine was making a noise it was just below Min, so I topped it up.