Power Steering Whine

[jsnevets]

The whine from my power steering pump has gotten progressively louder over the last month. It used to whine a little when I would turn. Now it whines with no steering wheel input. It's kind of odd but if I apply slight pressure on the steering wheel to the right or left the whine will go away. But if I turn the wheel further the whine comes back. There are no leaks, the reservoir is full, and the steering seems to work fine. The noise is just getting worse. Very annoying now. Even though there haven't been other problems than the noise, I assume the pump could still die at any time?

[91 bird]

the pump is going to go. sounds like you dont have much time left. a week, a month, 2 months. hard to know.

[00GTP4ME]

I agree. It sounds like it's time to pick out the plot for your pump.

[tblake]

Hmmm, mine sounds like that too only it has not gotten worse. I have suspected my pump also, but swapping it out did not fix my issue completly unless I have installed a second bad pump.

[richtazz]

The pumps on these cars seem to be noisy by nature. Mine is making noise also, although only intermittently and it's a Delco pump and I flushed out all the old fluid because it was pretty dark. Steering works perfectly, it just growls occasionally.

[tblake]

Mine too Rich. Makes sort of a whine noise that usually is worst when its initially started. It goes pretty much completly away when its warmed up, and I have no fluid leaking and it is still a nice clear tan color. I'm stumped, so I'm just living with it.

Anyone install a brand of pump that does not make noise?

[00GTP4ME]

I had mine replaced shortly after getting the car and it doesn't really whine. I don't know what brand it is because I didn't buy the part or anything - the shop handled it all. It started whining pretty bad once but that was because I was a slacker and didn't check the fluid for a very long time. Once I topped it off the sound went away.