noisy power steering

[Guest]

Recently purchased a 1984 944 2.5 which has given me no problems thus far however the power steering seems noisy, especially when cold, under any sort of lock..could this be the pump do you think? Any ideas appreciated...how much is a new pump and wheres the best place to get one?

 

[Mark_Bennett]

Noisy at lock is normal.

I wish I had known this as Camtune relieved me of a few hundred quid when I had them service my 1st 944. Not only that but they "re-built" my power steering pump when a new one (with Porsche warranty) would have been cheaper.
Either way they did not need to do anything[]

 

[Guest]

thats interesting, thanks for that...cause I drive my wifes new mercedes I notice all these noises!

 

[Mark_Bennett]

It was at a club region technical talk on 944's hosted by OPC Reading that I learned that the power steering noise is normal (it kind of groans at lock/slow speed). We also learned that whine from the transmission is also expected (but others on this forum have disagreed!)
The talk was given by the technical manager at Porsche.

If it is a worry then get it checked - but go somewhere that will give you GOOD advice, not just take your money & run...

 

[Diver944]

Mark is right, a groan at low speed, full lock, especially reverse is very common.

Some have reported an improvement and even it disappearing if you drain and change the power steering fluid. This is not on any scheduled maintenance and unless you have had a leak it's probably the original dirty fluid after all these years.

I changed the fluid on my wifes S2 and it was totally cured [][][] I did it on my Turbo and it is still there [][][] but a bit less

 

[Fen]

Same for me - cab doesn'tdo it any more but the Turbo stilldid after a fluid change.

It's almost like a harmonic in the pipes or something.

 

[danmason]

usually for me when my power steering gets noisy every couple of months or so it just needs a top-up of fluid (i have a very slow leak); I have been told that some special fluid is available that will stop leaks of this nature, but don't know where to obtain it - any ideas?

 

[John Sims]

Earlier models were prone to leaks through the pipe from the reserviour. Porsche did change this, but you still seem to get seepage at the unions. It must be down to the thin slipperyness of power steering fluid [8|]

 

[richthomas]

I had this on my old '86 944, and one or twice recently on my S2.

Have you got any leaks coming from the pump??
Even if the bottom of the pump is just damp with fluid there could be a leak at the main seal between the two halves of the pump, it only nees to be slight, and when you turn the steering wheel, especially when cold and stationary, its working very hard and can suck in some air. It's the air in the system the makes the groaning noise, so changing the fluid for new can help, but wont really cure the problem. The fluid that proffeses to stop leaks by the way is about as good as the oil that does.....not worth bothering with, and not normally any good for the car anyway.

There is any easy and very cheap fix for this though. You can buy a pump rebuild kit for about £13 inc postage and rebuild the pump yourself. Its sounds daunting but is quite simple, I did it last year and it took me about 2 hours, stopping for drinks, dinner etc. On the early 944's it's even easier than on turbos and S2's because of all the open space behind the bumper instead on the lower spioler that covers the underneath. I even got the pump out without having to jack the car up!

Here's an article from 911 & Porsche World showing you how to do it:

 

[richthomas]

And page 2:

 

[Lowtimer]

How can it *not* be the pump? Doesn't sound like the rack or the track rod ends or whatever.

 

[zcacogp]

Yeah. I see the logic.

If so, why does it quieten down after a while?

(I guess it is noisier when turning the steering as this is when you are working the pump hardest.)


Oli.

 

[Mike_Pollock]

Dont know why but I would certainly check the level.

My co van had a similar type of problem - no obvious fluid loss but it went somewhere, only noticed when it became noisy, top up quietened it considerably.

Noise can be due to air getting imto the pump

 

[Lowtimer]

ORIGINAL: zcacogp
Yeah. I see the logic.

If so, why does it quieten down after a while?

I imagine because the fluid is warming up, and the seals are warming up and becoming more flexible and sealing better..

(I guess it is noisier when turning the steering as this is when you are working the pump hardest.)

I guess so too: that is when the most pressure is being exerted.

 

[simdel1]

Random link alert:

http://www.isomedia.com/homes/benzspg/powrster.htm

And a quote from the above link

A growling or gravelly noise are signs of air entrapment or pump failure

Maybe the system just needs a bleed?

 

[zcacogp]

Lazy Bum here finally got off his >ahem< lazy bum and checked the fluid level in the reservoir today.

It was a LONG way down. More than far enough to explain these symptoms. I topped it up, and expect that this will have cured the symptoms, but I wonder where all the fluid has gone too. Perhaps it takes after Mike's company van ...

>SlightlyWorried<


Oli.

 

[Mike_Pollock]

Look in the gaiters over the rack ends!

A colleagues van put it one side, he kept topping up and wondering, eventually a gaiter popped and all became clear!

The 2.7 had a low pressure pipe go porous, in several places! Took me ages to work that out. New pipe fixed it, but not before fluid totally wrecked ARB inner bush.

Never found my vans leak!

 

[graham.webb]

The seals on my rack were leaking into the gaiters, and then on out. Early on it was fine to just top it up, but it got worse so rather than have an MoT fail on it I forked out for a reconditioned rack. About £300 but don't even ask the price of a proper Porsche one!

 

[robwright]

Oli mine used to make a horrible noise and worse so in winter when the fluid was colder until it warmed up. I bought a pump recon kit for around £30 and did the pump. It has been quiet as a mouse and silky smooth since []