Power Steering/whistling/bearing Noise???

HARDTIMER · #1 04-26-2004, 08:43 PM

When I start my 95 in the morning I notice a power steering type whining noise, its gone by the time i drive it a few miles but I still hear sort of a whistling/airish/bearing noise. Not that loud but driving me crazy. Took it to a mechanic and he said it sounds like its coming from power steering unit but that it was "NOTHING" WTF??? I dont like noises on my car and if it didn't come w/ it, I want it gone. Checked the power steering fluid and its fine. Any ideas guys? Hope ive explained enough its really hard trying to explain noises on the forum. It is however coming from the passenger side of the car. Thanks in advance

RoraStar96 · #2 04-26-2004, 09:01 PM

My power steering makes a slight groining noise that I assume is the power steering pump. Its not that much of an issue and something I live it. The pump is just...loud.

But there is a typical Magnasteer vibration when making right turns at slow speeds and that is rectified by getting some hoses replaced, very common amongst cars with Magnasteer.

HARDTIMER · #3 04-26-2004, 10:32 PM

Thanks Jim!!!

HARDTIMER · #4 04-28-2004, 01:50 PM

I noticed that this noise is only made in the mornings or when the car is cold. By the time I drive it to the shop the noise is almost gone. When I get it to the shop its just a very tiny whistle and they look at me like ive gone mad!!! It sounds like I have no power steering fluid in the mornings but it appears to be full. Could it be the power steering???

Randy1 · #5 04-28-2004, 09:36 PM

I had a whistle noise on my Aurora and thought it was a bad bearing or idle pulley and it did it when it was cold, when it warmed up it was gone. Found out it was the serpintine belt. Try spraying some silicone on the belt when you first start it , on the side that rides on the pulley and see if the noise goes away. Its worth a try anyway thats how i found out it was my belt.

zimaad · #6 04-29-2004, 07:44 AM

Hey Hardtimer,

I have the same problem with my '98 aurora. It sounds just like you are describing and is there on cold starts but goes away after about 10 mins. Now that its warmer (65+) where I live, the noise is temporarily gone. It almost sounds like a vacuum problem. I thought maybe something about the powersteering also, b/c when it's making the noise and you hold the ps lines, it sorta muffles it. For me, the noise gets higher pitched when I accelerate and goes away around 2000 RPM. I made a post about it here, without much luck. I tried spraying the belts but it didn't do a thing. I agree....it's totally annoying!!! In the next week or so I'm going to look harder into what mine is and take off the engine cover, etc. I'll let you know if I find anything.

zimaad · #7 04-29-2004, 07:45 AM

One more thing, I think the steering shudder is a different issue. I have that too and it sounds like your tire is rubbing on the wheel well. I just ordered the fix for that and hope to get it on the car next week.

RoraStar96 · #8 04-29-2004, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zimaad

One more thing, I think the steering shudder is a different issue. I have that too and it sounds like your tire is rubbing on the wheel well. I just ordered the fix for that and hope to get it on the car next week.

Same issue here, what did you order? how much?

Thanks!

HARDTIMER · #9 04-29-2004, 11:16 AM

keep me posted zimaad!

zimaad · #10 04-30-2004, 08:14 AM

Rorastar96,

Apparently the engineers were nice enough to put a power steereing outlet hose on the 95-98's that is the right length to vibrate at it's natural frequency when it doesn't get enough fluid pushed through it (i.e, low speeds). The fix is a power steering hose that is routed a little differently and fastned in extra places. The part number for gmpartsdirect is 25728474 and it is $58.84 + about $10 shipping. I went to the dealership and asked and it was $85 there. If you have a subscription to alldatadiy, there is a technical service bulletin for this with some instructions. If not, I'll get it to you somehow.

RobertHammen · #11 04-30-2004, 08:57 AM

I felt the low-speed vibration (the wheel would actually move back and forth slightly when cranking the wheel hard over under 15 mph) on my '98 when it was still under the 4/50 manufacturer warranty, and had this TSB done. It did resolve the problem, thankfully (the new hose is slightly longer, too, IIRC).

RoraStar96 · #12 04-30-2004, 08:57 AM

Tacoma Narrows Sydrome...lol how nice of those engineers! Vibration at natural frequencies is not a comfortable thought at ALL!

Thanks for the heads up zimaad. I will look into that replacement ASAP. I don't have a subcription to AllData, so any help you can give is most appreciated.

zimaad · #13 05-05-2004, 10:12 AM

Hey there...I was searching the TSB's online and found another possiblity for the vibration on right turns. Apparently the rear transaxle mount can become misaligned and not have the proper amount of travel and ground out/bind. I downloaded the TSB from alldatadiy but the diagram sucks for it. I need to find a chilton/haynes manual and look. The diagram didn't exactly look like under my car...go figure! For the 95-96 models, there is a replacement mount....for 98's you can adjust the one on there apparently. The problem description for this was a right turn vibration/noise/groan during right turns and hard acceleration. I haven't noticed the accleration one...but right turns definately! Ya think droping by a GM dealer and asking would help at all??

RoraStar96 · #14 05-05-2004, 11:09 AM

I will be dropping by for an oil change/fluid services in less then 1000 miles from now, so it will be dealt with then. I have been doing some researching on Buick forums as well as Pontiac forums about Magnasteer and this power steering issue, seems to be a common problem that was then fixed in the 2000+ Bonneville.

Once I go in for that oil change etc I will discuss it with them, for now its nothing major, just a audible nuissance

zimaad · #15 05-08-2004, 06:39 PM

Hey guys,

I put the new power steering hose on my 98 today. I went for a short drive around my neighborhood and it appears the right turn vibration is gone. It was a pretty frustrating item to put on, although not difficult. A lot of 4 letter words were said when trying to route the multi-kinked hose around the engine, generator, etc. If you don't already have one in your toolbox, an 18mm crescent wrench is needed to get the line off and onto the steering box. A short one would be nice and there isn't much clearance w/ the engine, transaxle, front stabilizer, etc all in your way. It's also nice to have about 5 ft of clear tubine that will snug around the return end that attaches to the power steering box. This is for when you bleed the new fluid in, you can see when the old runs out and the new is in there. You can also see air bubbles too. When taking the old hose off...once you get everything disconnected, just cut the hose between the metal sections w/a utility knife instead of trying to wind the hose around the engine. The only other thing is that the TSB instructions say to drill 2 holes in the front left frame member to accomodate clips for the new line and that a right angle drill is needed. You can just drill the holes not centered on the frame member, but just towards the wheel and not need this extra tool.

Tomorrow is rear rotors and brakes and diagnosing the whistling noise. Since the noise goes away, I'm thinking it has to do with things expanding when getting warm...like metal! Maybe a intake/exhaust manifold??? I'll try torquing down some bolts and see what happens (if I can get to them)

POST REPLY TO THIS THREAD