Steering whine

[Skidzz]

Here lately, once in a while my car has been doing two things. The first thing I noticed was that it made a squeaky door sound whenever I turned the wheel to the left. Once in a while though, it would also make a loud whinning sound that sounded like a power steering whine, and got louder and more high pitch when I turned the wheel to the left. However, turning to the right didn't make the sounds. It would usually stop making the whinning sound after a while, but last night it got REALLY loud and it didn't go away all night. This morning, it was still doing it, and my power steering fluid was just a little bit low, about one inch under the "cold" line. I topped it off and later both the squeaky sound and the whine went away. It hasn't come back yet today. I don't know if it just stopped on its own or if it stopped because I topped off the fluid. Also, I don't understand how the squeaky sound and the whine would be related, as the squeaky sound sounded more like a tie rod ending to me, but appearently the are related because they both seem to come and go together. What do you guys think?

 

[Nater]

Well, if the fluid was low and when you added some it went away, you may have a leak someplace. Get a friend to sit in the car and turn the wheel while you are under the hood listening for where the sound comes from. Good bet is it's coming from the pump.

 

[n8rsk8r]

I just replaced my P/S pump. Here is what the troubleshooting pamplet says:

for whining
1. Low coolant level
2. Fluid hose touching frame or body
3. Pump vanes sticking or worn
4. Air in the system
5. Pump flow control valve inoperative or sticking

Sounds like you got it though. Is your P/S leaking any?

 

[Skidzz]

I haven't noticed any fluid leak. I was just under the car last sunday getting a rattle out of my exhaust and after I was done I went ahead and started the car and crawled back under it to check for any problems, ie. fluid leaks, exhaust leaks, etc. I didn't have anyone turn the wheel while I was under there, but I assumed that if there were a p/s leak, it would still leak with the engine running without turning the wheel. I'm off work tomorrow so I'll probably check again. Oh, and if my p/s pump needs replaced, about how much would one cost? I'm pretty sure I could change it myself without much trouble.

 

[Mike97gt]

most fo the time the squeeky door sound you describe is the tie rod ends. but when the tie rods make that nosie it's fairly constant. you might have a problem with your steering rack.

what speeds are you driving at when it makes these noises.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

Mine did that and it was the wheel bearing...

 

[Skidzz]

most fo the time the squeeky door sound you describe is the tie rod ends. but when the tie rods make that nosie it's fairly constant. you might have a problem with your steering rack.

what speeds are you driving at when it makes these noises.

It makes the noises mostly when I'm driving slow (15 mph and under).
I thought it could be the steering rack, but I don't know why adding P/S fluid made it stop. I'm thinking I have a leak. If not, about how much would it cost to have a shop change the steering rack?

 

[Mike97gt]

It makes the noises mostly when I'm driving slow (15 mph and under).
I thought it could be the steering rack, but I don't know why adding P/S fluid made it stop. I'm thinking I have a leak. If not, about how much would it cost to have a shop change the steering rack?

I would pay no more than 2 hours labor then add 40 bucks or so to get the toe reset.

 

[Skidzz]

I would pay no more than 2 hours labor then add 40 bucks or so to get the toe reset.

Not too bad at all. Thanks a lot man.

 

[Skidzz]

Well, after 2 days the whine is completely gone. I just drove the car up into the driveway and turned the wheel back and forth for a while, then backed the car up to look for any spots of fluid. No spots. I looked under the car and saw nothing leaking. I guess over time my fluid just got a little low and hopefully it's ok now.