PAS pump query

Hi all

I took the serp belt off other day to look for a noisey bearing somewhere which I think is the alternator fitted on Christmas Eve. Anyway I noticed there’s a bit of play in the pas pump which I’m wondering about but also when I turn it anti-clockwise which is the way it turns when running there is a kind of clicking/popping noise that sounds a bit like a cheap ratchet but not that noisey, there is about 10 clicks per rotation, also some days the steering is poor on tick over

It’s a 98’ 300 d1

So what do you lot think then

Thanks in advance

Towsey

Anybody able to give any symptoms of a power steering pump on its last legs please?

In addition to my first post, it does the creeky groany noise mainly when cold but I’ve heard a few do it so don’t know how concerned I should be about it?

Any experiences shared would be appreciated

Towsey

Well...today I fitted new belts to my 200tdi and thought of your post so I spun my pas pump whilst the belt was off and it's smooth, no noise whatsoever. Can't see 300 being any different.

Thanks for that

I seem to remember spinning it before and it not doing this, it’s not loud and more of a feeling than a noise but it seemed odd to me. Thing is, I think nothing lasts as long as original so I try not to change things until I’m sure

Cheers

Towsey

Well...

Fitted a new pump (not ZF though) and it was horrific! It whined all the time and drove like it was running half pressure and wasn’t bled up properly even after been bled 4 times and test drives so sent it back for a replacement, and thats not a lot better to be honest, this one whines but not as bad and still doesn’t seem to have the pressure of the original so thinking about getting a ZF one now.

Have any of you had any trouble with non genuine pas pumps before?

I don’t know how it works with mentioning where things come from so I won’t but I wouldn’t be surprised if a lot of the non genuine pumps are the same anyway

Cheers

Towsey

So all you guys that can turn your steering wheels with one finger is that original pump or aftermarket or???

There must be some power steering experience on here

Cheers

Towsey

towsey956 said:

So all you guys that can turn your steering wheels with one finger is that original pump or aftermarket or???

There must be some power steering experience on here

Cheers

Towsey

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You’d be better off posting in the Discovery section fella, you’ll get more and quicker replies.

Cheers for that, I just put it in here cos I though more people with 300tdi’s would see it if ya get me, thanks tho

Towsey

towsey956 said:

Cheers for that, I just put it in here cos I though more people with 300tdi’s would see it if ya get me, thanks tho

Towsey

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No harm in double-posting. It always appears quite quiet in this section these days.

Thank you, il do it again in there

Towsey

Is it possible both new pumps installlled appear to be anaemic because they could be fighting a restriction of sorts in the lines or steering box itself? Just guessing here, but maybe that's what took out your original pump.
Check for return flow in the fluid reservoir at idle, there should be some swirling action going on in there if the fluid is going through the box and returning if all is working as it should.

Cheers

Well both new pumps whine when the slightest bit of pressure is put on the wheel but this one works a lot better than the first one did, that one was dangerous and the car wasn't really used with it on but neither are anywhere near as good as original, I'm not even sure there is much wrong with the original after all this apart from the odd popping feeling but all worked fine and no whining apart from when held in lock and a bit stiff on tick over till warm

I havnt had the drag link off and checked the box since I fitted new joints about a year ago, but when I fitted this second pump I rebuilt one of the swivels at the same time so bled the power steering while on the ramp with no wheels on to start with and it all felt nice and smooth and free as a bird

Towsey

Its an open system as in fluid is continuously fed from and returned to the reservoir and as such, doesn't really require bleeding as you would a closed system such as brakes.
Typically these pumps whine when loaded, so if the new ones are whining away unloaded, it wouldn't hurt to check the rest of the system.

Yeah, ya know wot I mean, the old lock to lock thing to make sure. Between box and road wheels is ok but yeah il knock drag link off and check from box upto steering wheel but like I say old pump had no whine at all and when on the ramp Turning the whole system by hand stood moving the swivel was easy enough and normal

Cheers

Towsey