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Steering Noise and fluid - advice please

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raflad67

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evening people.

when reversing, on full lock my p reg polo made a squealing noise. it continued to make same noise when slowly turning - ok when driving at speed and cornering. anyway, had a look under the bonnet and i see fluid in bottom left hand side - power steering fluid?

anyway, have booked it in garage yet again for diagnosis but wondered if anyone can give me an indication as to problem?

cheers
 
Fluid could be from anywhere, is the reservoir low?

The screaming noise sounds like you have fluid - probably oil on your drivebelt(s) which causes it to slip when you make it work hard (accelerating quickly, or making the hyd pump work hard when you turn the steering wheel to full lock)

Solution: Check where the leak is coming from and what it is - check all reservoirs: brake, steering, engine oil and even windscreen wash and radiator. Try to trace the leak back to its source.

Clean up your drive belts (not when the engine is running :PDT_Xtremez_21: a that will hurt...... a lot!)

Failing that see a car doctor.
 
chiefy said:
Fluid could be from anywhere, is the reservoir low?

The screaming noise sounds like you have fluid - probably oil on your drivebelt(s) which causes it to slip when you make it work hard (accelerating quickly, or making the hyd pump work hard when you turn the steering wheel to full lock)

Solution: Check where the leak is coming from and what it is - check all reservoirs: brake, steering, engine oil and even windscreen wash and radiator. Try to trace the leak back to its source.

Clean up your drive belts (not when the engine is running :PDT_Xtremez_21: a that will hurt...... a lot!)

Failing that see a car doctor.
Click to expand...

Thanks Chiefy. Had a look and all reservoirs seem ok, although coolant level was a little low and did check it a week or so ago and it was ok, anyway - topped that up . It doesn't seem to be oil so am wondering if a seal has gone or something similar on one of the pipes carrying the coolant? could this then cause as you say above?
 
When your wheel is on full lock are you holding it hard over? That can cause it to squeal. Just move it off the stops and it should be fine.
 
MrMasher said:
When your wheel is on full lock are you holding it hard over? That can cause it to squeal. Just move it off the stops and it should be fine.
Click to expand...

It's common and you're right, moving it off full lock should stop it happening or more precisely not keeping pressure on the wheel at the stop, when your steering hits it's stop and you hold it there you are forcing the rotary control valve to remain open and you effectively have a pump pumping at max chat but the flow has max resistance to flow and so the relief valve opens at max return through the pump. Two things can happen here - cavitation or pump overide. Cavitation can be very noisy as can a slipping pump drivebelt.

Obviously depends on your steering system but a p reg polo probably has a bog standard hydraulic steering system. If this is the case nothing to worry about just ageing but it is worth having a check of the drivebelt for wear and tear or oil contamination causing it to slip easily.
 
thanks for the info. it makes the noise when turning into the drive from the road so not on full lock, it sounds and feels very slightly vibrating too? anyway it's in with the grease monkey sat am, will let you know!

cheers again and here's hoping it won't cost a fortune....
 
raflad67 said:
thanks for the info. it makes the noise when turning into the drive from the road so not on full lock, it sounds and feels very slightly vibrating too? anyway it's in with the grease monkey sat am, will let you know!

cheers again and here's hoping it won't cost a fortune....
Click to expand...

it turns out it is a pipe that has corroded away and therefore steering fluid leaked and overheated the steering ? and this causes the horrible noise. steering actually got worse as i approached the garage. pipe on other side looking corroded too so they recommend replacing both. awaiting cost...gulp!
 
The two pipes shouldn't cost an arm and a leg.
Suggest you get the engine compartment cleaned up though. Hydraulic fluid is corrosive.
 
grumpyoldb said:
The two pipes shouldn't cost an arm and a leg.
Suggest you get the engine compartment cleaned up though. Hydraulic fluid is corrosive.
Click to expand...


cheers, happen to know how long it should take a 'skilled' mechanic to do the work?

i will get the clean done, thanks....and then sell the effin thing!

thanks
 
Sorry mate, I can't answer that. Garages are a law unto themselves.
Good luck with it.
 
grumpyoldb said:
Sorry mate, I can't answer that. Garages are a law unto themselves.
Good luck with it.
Click to expand...

i now know:

105 for the part + fluid + labour (£45 per hour). they recommend other side too - extra 70 for that, 2 hrs work + VAT

so not much change out of 300 quid.
 
Are you on camp? Is there a motor club?
I don't know if these things still exist these days, but at one time, almost every station had one. If you joined for a couple of quid, you could get some sound advise, buy the parts, and one of the lads would fit them for you for a slab of ale.

A lot cheaper.
 
When was the power steering fluid last changed? Should be every 2 years usually.
 
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