Rattling/whinning power steering pump

[aprotogerellis]

Hi there,

Just finished replacing my belts and am getting some weird noises from the power steering pump...
I've done a bit more diagnostic but still can't figure out what#s wrong... all ideas/thoughts welcome. Here goes:

- Everything was absolutely fine a short while ago
- Then I did the belts, reconnected it all up and the problem started
- Irrespective of the tension on the power steering belt a whizzing noise is heard
- From up close the noise sounds more like a very fast rattling
- When I move the wheel all the way to one side and then a little bit more past the end point the rattling/whizzing becomes much louder
- Removing the belt completely gets rid of the noise just fine

Does this help at all? Clarks-garage suggests replacing the reservoir (due to dirty filter) but I very much doubt the noise would have started so suddenly.

Help!

 

[geoffbateman]

Rapid banging or popping noises coming from pumps can be a sign of inlet cavitation. This can be caused by, amongst others, air entering the suction line, too much resistance in the suction line, oil too thick, low temperatures causing oil viscosity increase. There is a possibility that if the belt was slipping before then lower pump revs would not show up the problem. The load noises from the pump when bottoming out the steering at the end of the rack are usually associated with the operation of the pump relief valve, and may be quite normal but additional to the noise you describe.
It may be worthwhile draining the fluid from the resevoir and disconnecting the suction line from the pump and and blowing it out to check for obstructions etc.
Also have known pump suction hoses to partially seperate allowing the "inner" part of the hose (inside the reinforcement) to collapse under suction thus partially strangling the flow to the pump.
Without hearing the noise it is obviously difficult to diagnose but if the problem only occurred after fitting the new belt it would tend to suggest belt slippage prior to the change. It is entirely possible that if the new belt was initially over tightenned on installationn that damage could have been done to the bearings at the nose of the pump which once caused would continue regardless of the belts new tension.
If you remove the pump suction and return lines you should be able to turn the pump by hand (belt removed of course) and check the "feel" of it.
Best of luck!!