Steering noise/whine?

[Stifla]

Hi all,

Ive notice a low whining noise when turning my steering from lock to lock at low speeds, its slowly got louder over the last couple of days.

Steering doesn't seem to be affected though, any ideas?

Cheers!

[gooner1]

Checked your Power steering fluid, assuming you have PS. ?

[Stifla]

I do have power steering, its on an '86 325i.

I will check the level at lunch time....

[mrLEE30]

if level is ok then check the drive belt, this is also a source of noise.

for the record it is not reccomended to turn the wheels at slow or stopped conditions as it places a great amount of strain on the steering pump and system.

[daimlerman]

if level is ok then check the drive belt, this is also a source of noise.

for the record it is not reccomended to turn the wheels at slow or stopped conditions as it places a great amount of strain on the steering pump and system.

Also,try to avoid holding the steering on full lock,as this causes the pump to work overtime and places the seals under far too much pressure.

[mrLEE30]

all manuals i read say max on full lock in ANY condition is 3 seconds.

[daimlerman]

all manuals i read say max on full lock in ANY condition is 3 seconds.

Sounds reasonable to me,our turn in to the drive usually meens full lock due to other cars parked in the street,so power racks have a limited life for me!

We went through a rack on a Renault in 15 months,E30 one's do last longer...

[Stifla]

Wow....3 seconds?

I thought E30's were built better than that!

To be honest i dont usually use full lock very much, and its literally only just started doing it.
I first noticed it pulling out of the junction at the end of my road, i thought it was the diff but then i noticed a very slight feeling through the steering wheel and im pretty sure that the diff is fine.

I have topped the power steering level up, it was about 5 or 6mm below the max so i dont think it that was an issue.

I know the belts are a little noisy so i will probably change that anyway to make sure.

Any other common probs i should be aware of?