Whuuum!

[Grrrrrr]

Another mystery noise!

Sometimes when turning the car around in the road - so going from lock to lock - there is a sort of whuuum noise as I turn the wheel. Hard to describe but a bit like a rubbing hum? Generally when turning anticlockwise rather than clockwise.

Any ideas?

 

[Datatek]

Another mystery noise!

Sometimes when turning the car around in the road - so going from lock to lock - there is a sort of whuuum noise as I turn the wheel. Hard to describe but a bit like a rubbing hum? Generally when turning anticlockwise rather than clockwise.

Any ideas?

Check the VCU would be my first step.

 

[Saint.V8]

Another mystery noise!

Sometimes when turning the car around in the road - so going from lock to lock - there is a sort of whuuum noise as I turn the wheel. Hard to describe but a bit like a rubbing hum? Generally when turning anticlockwise rather than clockwise.

Any ideas?

Are you moving or stationary as you turn the wheel??

 

[tomcat59alan]

Another mystery noise!

Sometimes when turning the car around in the road - so going from lock to lock - there is a sort of whuuum noise as I turn the wheel. Hard to describe but a bit like a rubbing hum? Generally when turning anticlockwise rather than clockwise.

Any ideas?

Checked your power steering fluid level lately?

 

[wammers]

Might be a worm whuuum bearing left lock selector shuttle valve collet seal. Or it could be summet whuuuming.

 

[tomcat59alan]

Might be a worm whuuum bearing left lock selector shuttle valve collet seal. Or it could be summet whuuuming.

Cannot find it in Rave, should I look in Raving?

 

[ady014]

Mine hums as well especially hot. The last time I heard this noise was on an old cavalier and vauxhall produced a modified pipe with a rubber section in it instead of a full metal pipe. Something about fluid harmonics. Why my rangie does it I have no idea but a fluid change is planned. Fluid was low bland topping it up stopped it for a bit so suspect the 17 year old oil may be past its best.

 

[Grrrrrr]

Moving or stationary. Doesn't always do it.

Level is fine. Always has been. Never been changed that I know of now you mention it. To be honest I've never changed the PAS fluid in any car I've ever owned - Vauxhalls included!

Let me know how the fluid change goes. If that works then I'll give it a go. In the meantime I'll check the VCU.

Cheers.

 

[tomcat59alan]

Moving or stationary. Doesn't always do it.

Level is fine. Always has been. Never been changed that I know of now you mention it. To be honest I've never changed the PAS fluid in any car I've ever owned - Vauxhalls included!

Let me know how the fluid change goes. If that works then I'll give it a go. In the meantime I'll check the VCU.

Cheers.

Forget the VCU if it's making the noise when stationary

 

[Grrrrrr]

Really? Cool.

Just for the record, I cannot remember what torque I was supposed to use for the VCU test. Pretty sure Wammers mentioned it once. I tried the search on here but it doesn't seem to be working for me at the moment.

So, just need to see how Ady014's fluid change works!

 

[Grrrrrr]

It certainly sounds like a harmonic. I'd describe it as a low wine-glass sort of hum when it does it. Didn't do it today though.

 

[tomcat59alan]

Just a thought, is there a breather hole in the power steering reservoir cap? If there is, is it blocked?. Strange that it stopped after you checked the level ie removing the filler cap.
perhaps a vacuum had been formed.

 

[Grrrrrr]

Is there? News to me. I'll have a look.

Cheers,

J

 

[wammers]

Is there? News to me. I'll have a look.

Cheers,

J

Of course it could be a belt tensioner or idler loading up have you checked them lately?

 

[Grrrrrr]

Belts and tensioners checked (and in case of the belts replaced) last weekend. Was doing ti before though.

Idler loading up? Could you pretend you're talking to a complete numpty and get your larger crayons out?

 

[wammers]

Belts and tensioners checked (and in case of the belts replaced) last weekend. Was doing ti before though.

Idler loading up? Could you pretend you're talking to a complete numpty and get your larger crayons out?

With the engine running normally and not under any load there is little pressure other than the tensioner pressure on the belt tensioner and idler pulleys. When steering is turned it loads the belt up and puts more pressure on the pulleys sometimes they groan if worn. Same thing happens when Alternator loads up.

 

[tomcat59alan]

With the engine running normally and not under any load there is little pressure other than the tensioner pressure on the belt tensioner and idler pulleys. When steering is turned it loads the belt up and puts more pressure on the pulleys sometimes they groan if worn. Same thing happens when Alternator loads up.

So that's why you are always groaning, your worn out

 

[wammers]

So that's why you are always groaning, your worn out

You don't realise just how true that is.

 

[tomcat59alan]

You don't realise just how true that is.

It's alright mate, I'm in the same club

 

[Grrrrrr]

OK. So the idler pulley is the one between the alternator and the power steering pump. Only does it under load so that makes sense. I did give everything a wiggle when I had the alternator belt off but didn't notice any play. Maybe I didn't try hard enough. Hmmm. Any way to test it other than trying to wiggle it? Stick a screwdriver in there? That could be the kiss of death to a perfectly working pulley, mind!