Whistling Power Steering

[gavsteryoung]

Eversince I have bought my car, when I am parking and get to near full lock I get a whistling sound from my powersteering....

Anyone have any idea what this is? Or has anyone experienced this?

I have done about 8k like this and does not seem to lose fluid.

As im out of warrenty im lothed to take it to the steelers and for them to say I need a new Rack or pump...... as it works fine, just slightly annoying when parking.

Sorry for all the posts, I have a potential third problem but wont post until I confirm it!

cheers guys

[SimonS4MTM]

Yes, my current S4 and my old one both did this. When it is next in for a service i will get them to check the belt tension as i think this may be the cause. Unless it is a common "feature"

[S4 OXON]

yes it allso happens on mine, at near full lock , is this just how the cars are ? as mine has been into audi for 30k oil and bits and nothing said and im sure if thay can get more money thay will so think it ok but now i use the nosie and a near full lock sound

[Olly_K]

yep, mines the same

[DavidT]

And me, my 98 A4 was the same before that too.

[BlackShadow]

Mine's the same. I think most cars with power steering do this when they are on full lock. It's just that some cars are noiser than others.

[gavsteryoung]

Glad you all have heard or had the same problems. Means I can tick it off my worry list!

Did anyone manage to rectify the problem at all?

[SimonS4MTM]

If it is a common problem then it is probably that the power steering fluid is at high pressure when on full lock causing the noise.

[Dippy]

My power steering was making noise a few weeks ago. So I checked the oil and found it was less the the minimum - doh!

So I topped it up and it was fine. However it had prompted me to check the manual, which warned me not to have the car on full lock whilst stationary for more than * seconds (can't remember what * is).

So as Simon states, at full lock the oil is at max pressure and this could cause the noise. Having said that, my steering doesn't make any noise at any position (any more).

[Mik]

Mines the same, common problem with the pump. Eventually it will go really bad before it breaks. Had mine replaced - About £110 for the part + fitting

Mik

[bjacks]

Same on the RS. I've had a new rack and pump recently and it still makes the same noise - in fact, it's getting slightly worse than it was before.

[Golich]

While I'm no expert on this. All power steering racks will make a different noise on full lock. As the high pressure oil is no longer moving the rack. Most units/systems have a pressure relief valve/bypass for the full lock case and this is what you are hearing. You may have noticed if you go to full lock most cars have a distinct additional restistance followed by the increase in noise for say the very last 5degrees of steering wheel rotation. Without looking this up I would imagine the oil is allowed to bypass upon the rack reaching a certain position and this is what causes the noise. I'm sure there will be info on the net about the design of power steering units.

[Diesel]

As mentioned its the bypass. I always wind the lock off a touch as it has always sounded a little mechanically un-sympathetic to hold it on full lock, causing this noise. D

[Mik]

Also, I believe it actually says in the S4 manual that one should avoid keeping the wheel at full lock (for some reason).

My new pump also makes a very slight noise on full lock, but you will know about it if its failing - the noise becomes unbearable.

Mik

[gavsteryoung]

Ok had a good check this morning of the fluid and it indeed is low!

Is there a specific power steering fluid I need and will my local Halfords sell it... for ease!

cheers