Power Steering grinding noise
09-24-2014, 10:51 PM
#1
Power Steering grinding noise
I have been contending with a grinding noise for a while now, I have been trying to correct it to no avail. I know it is a power steering issue, most likely the power steering pump. When the car is just started and I turn the wheel too fast I am rewarded with a horrid screech. I also hear the same noise when I hold the steering wheel fully turned, as in parking lot parking.
The noise from what what I recall began after I changed over to a V-belt system from a serpentine system. At that time I also replaced the stock lines with the teflon AN lines and hard lines and added a power steering cooler. I assumed the steering box just needed adjusted so i adjusted the preload slightly and this seemed to exacerbate the problem. So I replaced the entire steering box with a rebuilt unit. The rebuilt unit eliminated the slop but not the noise. So I replaced the power steering pump, this seems to have helped but it could be my imagination. The entire steering linkage is also new as it has less than 3000 miles on it. The only possible solution I can think of is the belt not being tight enough since I now do not have a serpentine system with an automatic belt tensioner. However the power steering pump is the same part number for serpentine and V-belt cars. Any thoughts or suggestions?
The noise from what what I recall began after I changed over to a V-belt system from a serpentine system. At that time I also replaced the stock lines with the teflon AN lines and hard lines and added a power steering cooler. I assumed the steering box just needed adjusted so i adjusted the preload slightly and this seemed to exacerbate the problem. So I replaced the entire steering box with a rebuilt unit. The rebuilt unit eliminated the slop but not the noise. So I replaced the power steering pump, this seems to have helped but it could be my imagination. The entire steering linkage is also new as it has less than 3000 miles on it. The only possible solution I can think of is the belt not being tight enough since I now do not have a serpentine system with an automatic belt tensioner. However the power steering pump is the same part number for serpentine and V-belt cars. Any thoughts or suggestions?
09-25-2014, 02:40 AM
#2
Re: Power Steering grinding noise
As you turn the wheel with cold fluid, the fluid pressure is higher because it does not flow as well. This back pressure goes into the pulley and slows it making the belt slip trying to force it to turn faster. Same goes for full lock even when warm fluid. The Signaw P pumps (I just posted this same info on another post ironically)put out overkill in pressure. They are way over driven and the OEm pressure is about 1200 psi. The steering box can actually get away with as low as about 700 psi, while 800 is a better feel. Anything above this causes resistance in flow and thus back lashes into the pulley slowing it and making the belt slip.
Pretty much all GM performance applications (racing type usage especially) have adopted using a Signaw2 pump now as standard practice because they are less restriction with better flow ramps and less HP robbing qualities.
Pretty much all GM performance applications (racing type usage especially) have adopted using a Signaw2 pump now as standard practice because they are less restriction with better flow ramps and less HP robbing qualities.
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