Power Steering Noise

[TurboBrickTom]

So I'll get right into it by saying I've got a new noise coming from my car, a whining noise. Its only heard when I'm turning the wheel and it sounds like its coming from the rack, but I can't figure out what could be the cause. I'm not losing any fluid and it doesn't sound likes its coming from the pump either so I'm atm stuck. Anyone have any idea's on what it could be?

[Denio24]

could be a failing rack, or your fluid level is low. You can also try to bleed the system by lifting the front wheels off the ground and turning the wheels lock to lock 10 times - then check your fluid level. Do this with the engine off, then start the car, and repeat as above.

[TurboBrickTom]

could be a failing rack, or your fluid level is low. You can also try to bleed the system by lifting the front wheels off the ground and turning the wheels lock to lock 10 times - then check your fluid level. Do this with the engine off, then start the car, and repeat as above.

I will try that thanks, and I doubt its a failing rack as it was just put in in February. The fluid level is at the max line, it was above max when it started making noise but I bled some out thinking it could be related. To put this noise into perspective, its the same sort of whine you get when your wheel is at full lock, just now it sounds that way anytime the wheel is moved. I thought it could be a vibration of some sort, but haven't really narrowed anything down yet.

[Denio24]

That may explain things. Perhaps the mechanic in question didnt bleed all the air out following the procedure. I believe i read somewhere that the noise is actually the pump due to all the air bubbles going through the vanes. Is the reservoir full of bubbles...i.e. not just a green fluid? You may not see tons of bubbles but they may be very small.

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[TurboBrickTom]

That may explain things. Perhaps the mechanic in question didnt bleed all the air out following the procedure. I believe i read somewhere that the noise is actually the pump due to all the air bubbles going through the vanes. Is the reservoir full of bubbles...i.e. not just a green fluid? You may not see tons of bubbles but they may be very small.

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The reservoir doesn't seem full of bubbles, I'll double check in the morning but I did bleed the system after the change. I've put about 15000km on it since with no issues until now. I did have a slow leak for a little bit out of the High Pressure line going into the rack but that got addressed recently as well.

I also did open the cap and go lock to lock a few times (not jacked up, I know not a great idea but was desperate) to see if it would help, but it made no difference.

[Denio24]

Was the steering system making the noise with the old rack?

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[TurboBrickTom]

Was the steering system making the noise with the old rack?

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Not, and again its been a while since its been swapped, so I don't think it would have anything to do with the change.

[pezgoon]

Maybe air got in through the leak? Maybe the pump is just on its way out... How many miles and why did the old rack fail? The steering systems in these cars are verrry touchy


Edit: How many km's on the car not miles lol

[TurboBrickTom]

Maybe air got in through the leak? Maybe the pump is just on its way out... How many miles and why did the old rack fail? The steering systems in these cars are verrry touchy


Edit: How many km's on the car not miles lol

192000km, and the old rack failed because I slipped on some ice and hit a sidewalk curb which mashed up the rack.

[canadianA4B7]

Maybe air got in through the leak? Maybe the pump is just on its way out... How many miles and why did the old rack fail? The steering systems in these cars are verrry touchy


Edit: How many km's on the car not miles lol

If op wud like to know more I've posted recently too. My system blew apart 3x then the pressure looks to have cracked the housing on the pump.

[TurboBrickTom]

If op wud like to know more I've posted recently too. My system blew apart 3x then the pressure looks to have cracked the housing on the pump.

See I thought about that but my whole engine bay is bone dry and no leaks from anywhere, and the noise is clearly not coming from the pump, its coming from the rack. More specifically it sorta sounds like its coming from the drivers side of the rack. Maybe one of the lines got clogged which is disrupting flow causing a vibration? I don't know, this seems like a weird problem to me.

[canadianA4B7]

Does it clunk when pulling away with it fully cranked left or right?? Mine whined at first filled it up. Was good, then blew apart. Re filled then it was ok but was clunking on turns to the right. Then the pump blew. If there's a clog it will build pressure under what I now know.

There's a valve on the rack. (Torque converter I believe is what it's called) now if this was bad initially wud cause wear, likely killing the rack. If the valve was not replaced ($200 from what I've found) then maybe your heading down the same path that you justvexperienced.

I sure hope not. Apparently 6-10 hours for Re&re of rack. If that valve thing is shot I bet they charge the same cuz I can't see how to just remove the valve without removing the rack.

(Valve maybe called something else I forgot to check what the Bentley manual called it)

[TurboBrickTom]

I'm getting no clunks either. I get maybe a slight clunk on pulling away every so often but its not so much a clunk as it feels like the ABS just kicks in for a second. Which is odd in itself but I kinda ignore it. I'm leaving it parked till Thursday when I have time to take a closer look at it and jack it up. I feel a vibration in the lines when the noise is being made but not in the rack.

[canadianA4B7]

I honestly think u have similar issues to mine. I'm changing my order on my rack to the rs4 unit, and I've picked up another pump.

Just been confirmed the rs4 rack will be heavier feeling at speed #racecarexperience. The ratio is lower... I googled it just cuz I needed more info, but says racers use lower ratio for more responsive turns, feels heavier but better response.

I used carsteering.com. They were $325 I think for A4 rack and $500 for rs4 rack.

If your not losing any fluids i don't know what else yours cud be. But pump and rack are the 2 units required for smooth steering. If yours ain't right u know what I'm leaning towards!

[TurboBrickTom]

I honestly think u have similar issues to mine. I'm changing my order on my rack to the rs4 unit, and I've picked up another pump.

Just been confirmed the rs4 rack will be heavier feeling at speed #racecarexperience. The ratio is lower... I googled it just cuz I needed more info, but says racers use lower ratio for more responsive turns, feels heavier but better response.

I used carsteering.com. They were $325 I think for A4 rack and $500 for rs4 rack.

If your not losing any fluids i don't know what else yours cud be. But pump and rack are the 2 units required for smooth steering. If yours ain't right u know what I'm leaning towards!

Ya I saw that, I wish I knew that before I replaced the rack I would have liked an A4 rack. I've just had a change of plans and am driving my car up north, so if all goes to hell that's a good plan B.

I know its something to do with those two, I can feel it in the line going from the pump to the rack, it just sounds like its coming from the area of the rack where the column connects to it. I can hear the noise more from the drivers seat then when I had my head halfway into the engine bay.

[canadianA4B7]

If your racks shot I can sell the A4 rack that is in my mail box? Or If you want we cud work something out to order 2 hopefully at a bit of a discounted price?

I'm in Durham btw. Car has been a long long expensive adventure. Hopefully drive able soon!

[TurboBrickTom]

If your racks shot I can sell the A4 rack that is in my mail box? Or If you want we cud work something out to order 2 hopefully at a bit of a discounted price?

I'm in Durham btw. Car has been a long long expensive adventure. Hopefully drive able soon!

That sounds good, I like the RS4 rack. I'm actually from Hamilton so Durnham isn't far at all. I'll keep you updated and let you know if my rack gets shot, In the meantime I'll try and fix this first. Thanks for the help. I'll update this thread when I figure something out.

[Okedokey]

I flushed my power steering fluid and any noise significantly reduced.