Noisy PAS

[Robatron]

I have noticed that my PAS has been getting louder and louder over the past 2 months. It first started to make a noise when I gave the car abit of stick around a roundabout and I noticed the noise when I was gently pulling into the carpark at work about a mile and a half later.

This morning I enthusiastically went around a corner only to be stuck in traffic about 5 minutes later. However I noticed that in traffic all I had to do was move the steering wheel the slightest bit and there is a really heavy whine coming from the PAS.

Does anyone have some ideas as to what is wrong with it?

[Error404]

is the fluid topped up?

[Robatron]

There seems to be no signs of any fluid loss at all.

[Rusty]

Check it's not the PAS belt, mine was very loud. Spray a little WD40 onto the belt, if it shuts up then there's your problem. Have to say though that mine was chatterring not whining.

[s2driveruk]

probably the same as mine I have a horrible groan in mine at low speed, fluid is topped up and i have tried a number of times to bleed it. I think mine is to do with the restrictor in one of the pipes that Pirtek made up not being seated correctly or something. At some point I will have to look at it but so far other things eating my time....

Check you dont have any leaks on the circuit.....open the reservoir and check for a stream of bubbles while someone turns the wheel lock to lock and also check the level in there as at rest it can be fine but once running can drop loads.

[Robatron]

Thanks for the advice David.

I shall get my Mrs to turn the wheel lock to lock when I get home as I don't think many of the people here at work are competent enough!

[dan_b]

Def check the fluid level first, and then yes look for bubbles when steering is active.

[Graham]

Another one to look out for is to watch the puley at tickover, if it floats about 1/2 mm the internal thrust washers are worn, this gives a whining noise. If you like to D.I.Y. then it is fairly simple to repair. A machine shop can make you some new thrust washers and if you need a guide on how to strip it down and size it up, there is a thread on the forum detailing this.