My car's steering has been making odd sounds for some time now, at low speeds or when I'm stopped it makes an odd squeaking sound.

I want to prevent any problems before they happen because I do drive hard, and if my power steering were to go out unexpectedly I could be on a lot more serious trouble.

Does anyone know of any signs the car may give off if the power steering if failing??

& an fyi, my fluid is filled and the steering feels fine at the moment.

I would be curious as well. I am experiencing the same kinda of whining noise coming from the steering consule area. only when I am stopped can I hear it though. free bump

PS pump - sort of a whining grinding noise that gets louder when you turn the wheel and even louder when you turn the wheel all the way to the stop in either direction. Generally not a squeaking noise.

How would you describe the noise then?

An if this noise is occurring does that mean it needs to be replaced? It doesn't sound loud at all just sounds like something rubbing like when you wax your car really good =]

I would describe it as a whining grinding noise that gets louder when you turn the wheel and even louder when you turn the wheel all the way to the stop in either direction.

Sorry, I don't know another way to describe a bad power steering pump noise. Have you heard the whining you hear when it is low on fluid? If so, exactly the same noise but even when it is full of fluid.

If that is what it is, when it gets worse you will start noticing problems turning at low speeds. The wheel will be jerky as the pump will not be able to keep up with the fluid demand of the steering gear. The worst thing that happens if it goes out is the steering is really hard to turn. Well, I guess the WORST thing could be if it locked up completely and smoked your serpintine belt but I wouldn't worry about that if the noise is a quiet as you say.

If you have a squeaking noise and not a whining noise it could be an idler or tensioner pully. The best thing to do is get someone to sit in the car with it running and in park (or N for a 5spd) and turn the steering wheel while you listen under the hood. A PS pump will be really obvious at that point.

Good Call, thank a lot.




I would describe it as a whining grinding noise that gets louder when you turn the wheel and even louder when you turn the wheel all the way to the stop in either direction.

Sorry, I don't know another way to describe a bad power steering pump noise. Have you heard the whining you hear when it is low on fluid? If so, exactly the same noise but even when it is full of fluid.

If that is what it is, when it gets worse you will start noticing problems turning at low speeds. The wheel will be jerky as the pump will not be able to keep up with the fluid demand of the steering gear. The worst thing that happens if it goes out is the steering is really hard to turn. Well, I guess the WORST thing could be if it locked up completely and smoked your serpintine belt but I wouldn't worry about that if the noise is a quiet as you say.

If you have a squeaking noise and not a whining noise it could be an idler or tensioner pully. The best thing to do is get someone to sit in the car with it running and in park (or N for a 5spd) and turn the steering wheel while you listen under the hood. A PS pump will be really obvious at that point.

have you checked the power steering fluid level by any chance
a whining sound also could be low fluid.

have you checked the power steering fluid level by any chance
a whining sound also could be low fluid.

an fyi, my fluid is filled and the steering feels fine at the moment.

He said he checked it. Hopefully it is full.