power steering whining

argian · Post by **argian** » Fri Sep 26, 2003 9:50 pm

Hallo and congratulations for the new forum.My problem has as follows.When i turn the steering wheel when iam stopped it makes a noise(the steering pump apparently) like the one when the steering wheel is at full lock.I have changed the fluid in the reservoir but it has made it worst.I understand that it could be one of the following:1.ps drive belt loose,2.the ps fluid has air(i bled the system), 3.ps fluid is too low(its at the min. mark), 4.the ps pump mounts are loose or damaged.The hoses that are involved in the process should they be checked/replaced?Also should i only use genuine volvo ps fluid?I cant hear the noise above 2000rpm appr. but it could be from the engine noise.Sorry if i have tired you,Thanks again.

dragon · Post by **dragon** » Sat Sep 27, 2003 9:30 am

Well as I read your post, the first thing I thought was of a loose/worn belt, so you might want to check that first.

Jamo · Post by **Jamo** » Sat Sep 27, 2003 10:38 am

Believe it or not, this is usual to a degree on the 1.7i and 1.7 turbo when you turn full lock, excess noise could mean the pump failure mind or the aux drive belt isn't the right tension (the one drving the alternator, powersteering and aircon)

Volvo corrected this problem on the 2.0l by using bigger powersteering fluid pipes, and the problem doesn't occcur!

chris1roll · Post by **chris1roll** » Sat Sep 27, 2003 5:16 pm

All ours whine like nobodys business, I just ignore it now.

argian · Post by **argian** » Sat Sep 27, 2003 8:25 pm

Thanks for the replies guys.I 'll check the belt when i go to adjust the valve clearance.Do i rule out faulty power steering fluid pipes?Is it worth while getting the larger pipes you mention?I was under the impression that the ps pump lasts the life of the engine

chriskay · Post by **chriskay** » Tue Sep 30, 2003 12:02 pm

For God's sake, do check the condition of the drive belt. The whining on mine was there & I ignored it. The belt broke & snarled up with the cambelt (only 10,000 miles old). I ended up with seven bent valves & a large bill, which would have been larger if the service manager at my local main Volvo agent hadn't charged the labour at only Â£25 an hour (thanks Mark).

Jamo · Post by **Jamo** » Tue Sep 30, 2003 12:12 pm

Thanks for the replies guys.I 'll check the belt when i go to adjust the valve clearance.Do i rule out faulty power steering fluid pipes?Is it worth while getting the larger pipes you mention?I was under the impression that the ps pump lasts the life of the engine

Mate you can't adjust the valve clearance, it's controlled by shim width and you need to replace the shims to adjust the clearance.

argian · Post by **argian** » Tue Sep 30, 2003 2:37 pm

I am aware that i have to replace the shims.The time to do this job is when you hear a tappety noise,right?When at it should i replace any oil seals

I have replaced both the timing belt and auxiliary drive belt 2 months ago.The auxiliary drive belt drives the water pump and the power steering,right?There is another belt that drives the alternator and the air conditioning compressor pulley.Please correct me if i am wrong because iam a little confused.

Peter · Post by **Peter** » Tue Sep 30, 2003 6:43 pm

If the problem still exists after trying all methods listed above you can buy my spare steering pump.
It is nearly new, run only 45000 km.
I bought for the same reason as you need now and worked silently.
One year ago I sold my previous car but kept the pump for the next.

Peter

tfmorton · Post by **tfmorton** » Wed Oct 01, 2003 1:45 pm

Yes, you have another belt to drive the alternator/air con pump (3 in total including the timing belt)

James Paul · Post by **James Paul** » Mon Oct 27, 2003 3:22 pm

check the pump's mounting bolts, they can work loose and caused the noise on mine. One bolt had even fallen off completely, replaced the bolt tightened all the others and problem solved. Well apart from having to replace the pipe from the pump to the steering rack as the vibrations had cracked it!!!!

argian · Post by **argian** » Thu Oct 30, 2003 12:08 pm

Anyone with a picture of the pump's location?

James Paul · Post by **James Paul** » Thu Oct 30, 2003 12:22 pm

the pump is right under the alternator on the front left hand side of the engine. Best to remove the alternator first as you will have a better view of it.

pol · Post by **pol** » Thu Oct 30, 2003 2:21 pm

Mine whines like a seal being clubbed round the head with a spade!?

pol

James Paul · Post by **James Paul** » Thu Oct 30, 2003 2:26 pm

Try a sledge hammer you might find that is more effective!!!!!!!!

volvofox · Post by **volvofox** » Thu Oct 30, 2003 11:06 pm

now this is very poor humor, about seals

but. you say the whining is the same as pulling it into last block. this means to my oppinion the max overload valve of the hydraulic system is engaged. (anyone who has worked in old hydraulic driven machines like farm, of building/earth moving equipment know what i mean.)

this means (starting with a good overloadvalve) the hydraulic system cannot pull the load anymore or some mechanics run very hard.

Test this.

put the whole front of the car on blocks (both front wheels in the air, put the key in the steering lock and try if you can steer the wheels at the tyres as you hold em in your hand.
Its hard to describe how hard or easy they have to steer by hand at the tyres, but in any way this should be possible. (note the engine has to be off)

possible some bearing or joint is stuck, the rack and pinion/hydraulic house is stuck, the wheels and wheel hinges are not allined etc etc. anyway, the overload valve can also be defective or off tune

luck
JPF

Volvo 480 Club Europe

power steering whining

power steering whining

He's right.

Power steering whining