Whine from Power Steering Pump?

**BurgerB** · 04-18-2008, 06:11 AM

Hello all. New member here and owner of a 01 T/A WS6 with a bit of a problem. Short little back story here. About a year ago my P/S pump started making a real loud whining noise pulled over to discover there was no fluid in the pump. I limped it to a parts store and picked up some fluid. Didn't help as the noise was still there. Had the pump replaced and no luck. Turns out that the old pump started to eat itself and contaminated the system. In the end I had the pump replaced a second time, the steering rack and the cooler as well as the coller was leaking antifreeze into the system. Finally get it back and the noise is still there. Here is what I know:

- Noise only happens after the the car has warmed up.
- Gets progressivly louder the hotter it gets.
- The noise is there even when driving in a straight line.
- No change in how the steering feels
- The pitch of the noise increases with the engine speed, not the actual speed.
- The P/S fluid is still nice and clear.

I am stumped. I thought it might be a belt but then why wouldn't the noise be there all of the time?

Any help with this would be great!!

**0rion** · 04-19-2008, 12:45 PM

I would first narrow down exactly where the noise is coming from. It sounds like the whole power steering system is new top to bottom so I wouldn't think that's where your noise is coming from. I would take a long handled screwdriver and put the tip on parts and your ear on the handle and listen to one thing at a time and figure out exactly where the noise is coming from. Could be an idler pulley or tensioner pulley, could also be bearings or something going somewhere else.

**gnomee** · 04-21-2008, 04:31 PM

Very strange. If it is in fact still the power steering system and you have replaced everything then it must just have some air in the system. If you don't have a pressure bleeder take it to a shop that does and have them bleed the system.

Does the noise change when you rotate the wheels fast or slow? If you cannot affect the noise when rotating the wheels with the steering wheel then I would say its not the power steering and you will be left with diagnosing it like said above.

Good Luck!

**01outlaw** · 04-21-2008, 06:30 PM

when my 2001 z started noise i took off the belt there was still a noise so i took off the a/c belt noise stopped, then in narrowed it down to the a/c tensioner pully. well that was what i did last weekend and i hope it helps you

josh

**BurgerB** · 04-22-2008, 08:58 AM

I will look into that this weekend!! Did it make more noise with the AC on or off? I just want to check to see if that might be the case.

Thanks again!!

**Orange99z28** · 06-24-2008, 09:07 AM

i had problems with noisy a/c belt too, well tensioner. i just took it off, pissed me off that much. that was after greasing the tensioner btw

**East Coast SS** · 08-28-2008, 07:22 PM

Hey Burger any luck? I have the same problem I am using A-1 Cardone pump and rack

**kryptoniteSS** · 07-02-2009, 01:48 AM

you know heres a thought my 99 camaro was also making noise and what I thought was a pulley or the belt took it to a mechanic shop find out I had an intake air leak changed the gasket noise went away. spray some brake cleaner by the air intake see if the noise stop (saw the mechanic do it)yup:a:

**6sw00** · 09-06-2012, 05:37 PM

Any luck with this? You described the exact thing im hearing.

**pajeff02** · 09-06-2012, 06:03 PM

Originally Posted by 6sw00

Any luck with this? You described the exact thing im hearing.

The OP hasn't been back on the site since 2008...

Check the condition of your p/s fluid and inspect it for cross contamination. If that all looks good, remove your serpentine belt and spin the pulley by hand checking for any obvious signs of a bearing going bad. Let us know what you find.