Horrible groaning noise! Can anyone help?

[DublinBMW]

I've recently noticed a horrible groaning noise in my steering, especially when the engine is cold.I don't really notice it unless I'm reversing and generally going from lock to lock. Its only recently started happening.

The only thing I can think of is something to do with the PAS pump?

Can anybody help me?

Much appreciated. Thanks.

[Ziggy]

First thing to check is your PAS fluid level.

[asmith88]

power steering pump on its way out?

[TheHeap]

get someone you TRUST. open the bonnet sit on the wing and get the trusted one to reverse and steer the way you want so you can listen to the pump and or anything else that might be the cause.


good luck.

[robbo86]

Similar thing to mine mate. I get a groaning noise and my PS fluid is well below minimum. Need to get unfer the bloody thing for a proper ganders though.

[DublinBMW]

Just had a look there and the PS fluid is way below minimum. Do you think just a top up will be fine or should I bleed the entire system?

Hmmmmm

[Elecblondie]

I had that, spilled a bit when swapping an engine. I filled it up earlier today and it went away.

I'd say get it to the correct level regardless of the groaning, it is set for a reason; if it goes away bonus. If not then start thinking.

[Bewdley320T]

Just had a look there and the PS fluid is way below minimum. Do you think just a top up will be fine or should I bleed the entire system?

Hmmmmm

Just a top up should be O.K. but odds are you've got a leak somewhere which really needs checking first.

[robbo86]

Just a top up should be O.K. but odds are you've got a leak somewhere which really needs checking first.

I do, hoping to get underneath tommorrow.

[DaveD]

They are old cars that have been neglected ...and its quite a common problem...just flush out your power steering fluid and replace,,it might never have been done before .....it might cure it but it doesn't cost much to do you don't even have to get under ...just disconnect the exit pipe on the pump and feed new fluid in through the top and wait till all the old has been flushed out ! (you have to work the steering to make the pump work)

[Ziggy]

Just had a look there and the PS fluid is way below minimum. Do you think just a top up will be fine or should I bleed the entire system?

Hmmmmm

If it's low, that is almost certainly what's causing the noise. It won't need bleeding, but you will need to work out where it's going - there's a leak somewhere.

Once you've found that, it would be a good idea to drain & replace the fluid, but that's not causing the problem you're having at the moment.