jay956

I have heard a honking/howling noise while turning and backing up a couple times now. I found my power steering fluid to be low. Would fluid alone cause this noise? What would cause the fluid to become low? Leak somewhere, just age? The car has around 90k now and i doubt it was ever changed. Also if it does just need fluid can i just top it off or should i flush it?

Thanks!

Mike B

Top it up but keep an eye on it. Next time you take your belly pan off look for evidence of a leak.

jay956

ok so im still hearing this noise every once in a while. Fluid is good. Cant figure out a pattern either, itll happen hot or cold, forward or reverse. Only thing consistent about it is itll happen when near full lock. I know the problems with holding it at full lock, and the sound that comes with it but this is different.

Captain nick

Did you ever find what this was?

ADRIFT

I had a problem with one of the rubber elbows coming off the pump. it had dry-rotted and started sucking in air. heard the same noise, and when i checked the fluid, i found it to be full of air bubbles. I changed the hose, primed the system, drove it for a bit then shortly after, the seal on my new(6 mo. old)steering rack blew out. when i had it towed to my mechanic he informed me that the pump was to blame...over-presurizing the system. rack was under warranty, thank god. changed the pump out and havn't had a problem since..

jay956

Nope havent figured it out yet, but i honestly havent been looking into it. Ill be tackling the timing belt next week sometime so i can inspect the pump then.

daof4

My ar had a buzzing sound from the steering pump when cold (below freezing) I was told by my mechanic to top up the reservoir to approx 10mm above the full mark as the steering pump is almost as high as the reservoir and can cause cavitation, It will take a bit of time to get all the air bubbles out of the oil when topped up (overnight)
Hope this is of some help ....worth a try .....It worked for me

jay956

Interesting. Is that level hot or cold?

daof4

I always check everything cold,
The reservoir has a filter as part of it, If the oil is dirty the filter may be getting plugged giving the same problem
Just another thought