Powersteering pump whining

[ZeroK66]

Hi Guys,

My car has been in twice now to Audi and I have complained about the "common" whine of the compressor when manovering when stationary. Now I increased the pressure of my tyres the other day and it is better, but it does still make a noise when cold.

Given the car is under warranty (Bursts into fits of laughter as if this were a joke) surely a noisy pump should be replaced regardless of how quiet it is/when it makes a noise? If it makes a noise it should be replaced?

Cheers,
Leon

[MarkB]

Maybe it is your wider tyres that have caused the problem so it's not covered...

[ChipHazzard]

My power steering pump whine's on full lock and has done since i got it, I was led to believe that it's a common characteristic

[oliew]

when i do a 3 point turn sometimes when the wheel is locked over fully it feels like the steering isnt power assisted for that first bit of the turn, needing a bit of pressure to like free it up.

[ZeroK66]

Maybe its the ARB's, maybe its the coilovers, maybe its the wind! I know they will probably try get away with it. When it next goes in I will stick the standard alloys on.

My car does the freeze like yours Ollie - generally when I park it up on full lock then re-start it later on. its horrible.

Noise on full lock I think is "acceptable" but not while manovering... which mine does.

[SimonS4MTM]

You should not hold it on full lock as this puts excessive strain/pressure on the pump.

I heard somewhere that the wine was a pressure relief valve.

[S4TAN]

I get this too - common "feature" (sic)

[boxerdogted]

Make shure that the oil level is correct ,if low you can get air in the sytem which makes it noisey.
Also make shure it has the correct grade of oil in it, std atf type oil is not suitable in our cars and can cause pump and rack failure.

[JonnyX]

Get yourself a wife. The PS pump 'whining' will be the least of your worries...
<ducks>

I'll get me coat...

[confusionhunter]

every car Ive owned with PS whined on full lock.... mind you thats only been 4...

[saf]

Happens on all S4's ive seen at full lock.

Not at other times though.

Maybe an idea to drain and change the fluid.

[ZeroK66]

JUST TO CLARIFY

***I DONT HAVE A PROBLEM WITH FULL LOCK WHINE***

Its just when manovering IE: Parking spaces etc that I got it when the pressure was low on the tyres/when cold.

[shineydave]

could be the same thing, when you go on to full lock the pressure relief will open as the rack is physically restrained at the end of the rack movement and the oil has to go somewhere or a hose will go. in your case the size of the tyres and low pressure may be causing the same effect, i.e, the pump is producing full pressure but the system can't turn the wheels immediately because of the increased contact patch due to the width and reduced pressure, therefore the oil has to go somewhere so it goes down the relief

[ZeroK66]

Okay, well to answer that. The car made a noise with my standard alloys on at the correct pressure when cold... I should think this means something is not right with the pump?

First time it went in to Audi was with the std alloys on... of course they didnt get the car cold, so dismissed it, but did the other work I needed doing.

[shineydave]

sounds like the spring on the pressure relief has gone weak then.