Power Steering Pump Noise When Turning: Here’s How to Fix

Have you heard any whine or funny noise coming from your car? It could be coming from the Power steering pump. If these groans get louder when you turn, you need to get your power steering pump fixed.

Most of these noises you will only hear them when your car is turned on and running. Some of the noises are a sign of a serious issue that needs to be fixed.

In this article, we will share with your simple techniques to fix the power steering pump noises.

Reasons for Power Steering Pump Noise

A power steering pump will make noises due to different factors. The following are the main causes of the noises you will hear from your pump steering pump.

• A worn Out Power Steering Pump

If your car is making some whining noises from the power steering pump, you need to check the quality and level of your power steering fluid.

When the level is low or contaminated, the power steering pump will make noises. This is because the pump bearings get damaged hence the reasons why you will hear noises coming from your steering.

If the fluid is low, top it up with more oil. But in the case where the fluid is contaminated, or it doesn’t have its viscosity, change it.

It’s also essential to know that contaminated oil causes scoring on the steering pump pressure plates. This reduces the pressure on the steering and makes it heavy. The final results of this effect make your pump noisy.

The contaminated oil causes the fluid to leak from the steering pump.

So, if you hear any whining noises from your steering pump, check the steering wheel system. Inspect the fluid also and identify chances of contamination, damage, or any part that is worn out.

• Low-Level Power Steering Fluid

We have already discussed how low-level fluid would lead to damage to the power steering pump. So, it’s important to check the power steering fluid just the same way you check the engine oil.

With the power steering fluid, it’s difficult to know if the oil is used up unless your car starts developing some serious issues.

• Trapped Air In The Power Steering Pump or Fluid

It is possible the noises you hear from your power steering pump could be because of air bubbles trapped in your steering fluid.

If, after inspecting your oil and steering pump, you don’t see any damage or problem with the fluid, you need to check for air bubbles in the steering pump fluid.

You can confirm this by removing the fluid reservoir cap and check any froth or bubbles formed in it.

As the steering pump operates, the air bubbles keep on moving and produce some popping sound. If there is much air trapped in the oil reservoir, the steering becomes heavy.

•  Leaking Power Steering Fluid

If your power steering pump is making noises and it’s hard to turn the vehicle, then the power steering fluid is to blame.

When you notice this problem, turn your car engine off. Check around your steering wheel fluid reservoir. Check for signs of oil leaks.

Oil leaks make the steering wheel heavy and noisy.

• Clogs in Power Steering Hose

When the power steering hose is clogged, you will hear whining sounds from when the steering wheel is turned. It is also difficult to turn your car wheel when the steering hose is clogged.

It’s essential to deal with the clog once you notice it.

If the clog doesn’t come from the hose, it could be in the lead or gears connected to the pump that has failed. A qualified mechanic should only fix this problem.

• Defective Power Steering Pump

The problem with a power steering pump manifests itself with a humming sound. Sometimes you will notice a change of pitch in your car when the engine’s RPMs change.

When the problem from your power steering pump is severe, you will also notice leaks around the shaft.

A problem with a shaft should be fixed immediately. A shaft may look like a simple device in your car, but it holds the entire steering system. If the pump fails, the steering fails too.

How to Fix Power Steering Pump Noise

As we have already seen, there are different causes of steering pump noises. Each cause needs to be fixed differently.

Some of the problems you can fix them on yourself. However, some other problems need specialized care. Unless you are confident and know what you are doing, we recommend that you don’t try to do anything on your car.

However, if you notice any sound coming from your power steering pump, apply the following techniques to solve the problem once and for all.

• Carefully Identify and Examine the Noise

Your car has different moving parts. It’s important to ensure that you understand where the noise is coming from. Inspect the noise you hear and make sure it’s coming from the power steering pump.

Not all the noises you hear in your car cabin that will be coming from the power steering pump.

Pay attention to where the noise is coming from. Once you know the exact source of the noise, it will be easy to identify the problem that needs to solve.

Besides, it’s essential to understand the kind of noise you hear. Different noises will signify different problems. The kind of noise you will hear will give you an idea of the problem you are dealing with.

However, before you conclude on anything, check other steering pump diagnostics. Drive at different speeds. Turn your car steering wheel. A combination of all these things will give you a better idea of the problem you need to fix.

Diagnosis is the first step in fixing your power steering pump noise. Without a diagnosis, you might not solve the problem.

• Refill Your Power Steering Pump Fluid

One of the major causes of power steering pump noises is fluid oil. When the fluid is used up or low, your steering pump will start making noises due to the pressure and friction exerted on the steering wheel bearing.

The pressure and friction also cause damages to the bearing and other parts of the power steering pump.

So, to deal with this problem, you need to refill the fluid reservoir. Refill to the required capacity.

It’s also essential to ensure the oil doesn’t get used up. Inspect the fluid and keep it to the required levels.

Also, ensure you get the right fluid for your car. In the market, there are poor quality fluids that shouldn’t be used in any car. They might be cheap, but the damage they will do to your car power steering pump is much.

• Change Contaminated Power Steering Pump Fluid

Other noises you will hear are due to contaminated fluid. Some common contaminant includes metal fillings, dust, debris, or water.

When your power steering pump fluid gets mixed with other substances, it doesn’t perform as required. In turn, the power steering becomes difficult to turn and also makes noises.

If there is a contaminant in the oil, all you need to do is to remove the contaminated oil and replace it with fresh fluid. However, before refilling the fluid, ensure you clean your reservoir. Use fresh oil to clean it.

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• Unclog the Power Steering Pump

It’s essential to fix a clog that you notice on your power steering pump. The clog should be fixed before it causes any damage to the whole system.

A clog is a serious issue that should only be done by qualified and experienced mechanics.

To fix this problem, it’s advisable to replace the entire hose. This is a sure technique that will solve this problem.

To do this, put a drain pan below the hose on the steering rack. After that, disconnect the old hose and fix a new one with a connection route.

• Flush the Power Steering Fluid

Air trapped in your power steering fluid will cause difficulties in turning your wheel. To deal with this problem, you need to flush out the entire fluid liquid and get rid of the pesky air pockets.

To prevent this problem from happening again, check all the connections to the reservoir. Tighten all the loose joints. Ensure no air gap will allow air into your fluid.

• Keep A Regular Maintenance of Your Car

No technique beats regular maintenance. It’s the only way you get to fix the problem before it escalates to a serious issue.

With regular maintenance, you will be able to identify all the causes of noise in your steering pump.

Your oil remains at the correct level, and you can change the fluid when it begins to get contaminated. All air bubbles are identified even before they start making popping sounds.

The benefits of regular maintenance can’t be listed all here. One benefit to summarize them all is that you will save on the cost of fixing problems with your car. Your spare parts and the car life span increases also.

• Get a Professional Mechanic to Inspect and Fix the Problem

Some of the problems you are going to get from your car are beyond your fixing abilities – unless you are a mechanic.

It’s, therefore, important to get people who deal with cars to figure out what’s the problem with your power steering pump and fix it.

This way, you will be sure the right diagnosis will be made on your car. The noise in your power steering pump will be dealt with better.

Verdict

If you hear any noise from your car power steering pump, get it fixed immediately. This applies to any other strange noises you will hear from your car.

Start by checking the power pump steering fluid, and if it’s contaminated, change it. In case it’s used up, refill. These are simple things that you can do on your own.

However, if you can’t identify the cause of the noise, get a professional to check and fix your car. Don’t wait until the problem breaks down your car.

But other normal car sounds and traffic noises, soundproof them. Read this article to learn how to soundproof your car.