Freelander 2 (LR2) Whining noise won't go away after replacing the power steering pump and steering rack

I have a very unfortunate situation with 2013 Freelander 2 (LR2) with the TD4 engine paired with manual transmission (182k km / 112k miles mileage).

It started to develop a whining noise in the higher revs (after ~1700 rpm) and while using the engine break (check the video from my post on Reddit to hear the sound). I took it to the main dealer and they said that it needs to have the power steering hydraulic pump replaced. They recommend replacing the steering rack as well based on some similar experiences that they had with other cars. Finally I was quoted 4200 euros (parts + labor) which is crazy considering that in my local market (I live in Romania) the car would be worth around 11-12k euros.

I refused the offer as it was way too expensive and found a local mechanic (not LR specialist as we don't have such thing here) with very good reviews. Originally he replaced the pump with an aftermarket one produced by Meyle. During the process he observed that I had the wrong power steering liquid. Instead of the green one, I had some pink one (very dirty) with lower viscosity. I never replaced it since I bought it from the Netherlands (checked all the service history that I've done at the dealer) hence that's how I bought it. Quite a shame that the dealer hasn't checked the liquid while it was there for the annual service.

He cleaned the liquid and replaced it with the correct one (he said it was flushed multiple times until it came in the correct color) and then installed the new pump. Unfortunately the whining sound was exactly the same. Later, he suggested that the steering rack has to be replaced as well. We went with an aftermarket part (it was 600 euros, but don't remember the manufacturer). The new rack was installed, he flushed the liquid again and no happy result. The power steering works, but it still produced that annoying sound.

The next step was trying another new pump from a different manufacturer without success. The sound didn't disappear. He took my old OEM pump and the Meyle one to a company that analyses hydraulic parts and they said that there were some very minor differences. Based on that he suggested me to find an OEM pump from a written off car which I did. He installed that one (of course replaced the liquid again) without any success.

Eventually he got in touch with an LR specialist and he said that back in the days they were using some additive and a standard procedure to get rid of the whining noise after replacing the power steering parts for the cars that came for warranty. The procedure has to be done on the road, not stationary and it involves several steers to the right and left or something like that (I don't remember the whole procedure).

Now I'm waiting for the mechanic to try this last resort. He said that if this doesn't work, he doesn't know anything else that he can do. Did any of you have any similar experience? I'm very anxious as I really care for this car and I don't know what else to do if this last option with the additive fails. Living in Romania I only have one main dealer on a 400km / 250 miles radius and of course no Land Rover specialist.

EDIT: He just called and the last option with the additive failed.

Are you sure it’s the power steering causing the whine, after all that work?
And was the power steering fluid bottle changed?

Freddie17 said:

Are you sure it’s the power steering causing the whine, after all that work?
And was the power steering fluid bottle changed?

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My mechanical knowledge is very limited. I asked the mechanic the same question and he said that he is sure about the source of the noise. Considering the main dealer said the same, I trusted him (he's not aware I took it to the dealer before). Of course if he won't be able to fix it using the last trick, I'll take it to a different service and ask for a third opinion.

Regarding the fluid bottle, yes it was changed.

If he was sure of the source of the noise... I wonder why replacing it didn't fix it. And why would he then replace something else that wasn't the source of the noise?

I presume the F2 PAS pump is driven by a drive belt - has everything else that is turned by the belt been checked (including tensioner)?

In fact, has the belt been checked? Is it soapy water you spray on a belt to stop it making noises? Is it only V or ribbed belts that applies to?

If its only when the engine is spinning quickly and lots of air passing through it, is the turbo OK?

get your man or the next garage to change the fluid reservoir as below in the video.

make sure he gets a genuine reservoir, the car need to have the front wheels just off the floor to turn left or right lots of times without stating the engine.

The header tank has a filter in it that can get blocked. As it is easy to change and much cheaper than a pump or steering rack it makes sense to change that first. Normally noisy power steering is due to Air in the fluid or starvation of fluid on the suction side of the pump. First I would change the header tank and check there is no obstruction in the pipe that then feeds to the power steering pump. To clear the air from the steering rack normally you would jack the front wheels off the ground and turn the steering with the engine running from lock to lock. I had endless problems with an older freelander steering, have a look at this video.
But then the 2007 and 2008 had a problem with the steering rack not being properly cleaned out in manufacture.

Stv123 said:

The header tank has a filter in it that can get blocked. As it is easy to change and much cheaper than a pump or steering rack it makes sense to change that first. Normally noisy power steering is due to Air in the fluid or starvation of fluid on the suction side of the pump. First I would change the header tank and check there is no obstruction in the pipe that then feeds to the power steering pump. To clear the air from the steering rack normally you would jack the front wheels off the ground and turn the steering with the engine running from lock to lock. I had endless problems with an older freelander steering, have a look at this video.
But then the 2007 and 2008 had a problem with the steering rack not being properly cleaned out in manufacture.

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Thanks a lot!
I've showed this video to my mechanic after you've posted it. He watched it and confirmed having done the same. He measured the pressure in my pump and the values are perfect.
At this point he gave up...

Bogdan V said:

Thanks a lot!
I've showed this video to my mechanic after you've posted it. He watched it and confirmed having done the same. He measured the pressure in my pump and the values are perfect.
At this point he gave up...

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How did he bleed the air out the system? Hopefully without starting the engine, which can damage the pump.

Nodge68 said:

starting

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Don’t think it matters that much as long as you don’t load it up. Sounds more like it’s drawing Air in or the pump is no good in the first place.

Nodge68 said:

How did he bleed the air out the system? Hopefully without starting the engine, which can damage the pump.

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No idea, will ask him.

Does it only make the whining noise when steering?
Does it make the same noise when stationary steering side to side?
Yer power steering fluid should jump about in the reservoir quite violently when steering. Does it?

Hippo said:

Does it only make the whining noise when steering?
Does it make the same noise when stationary steering side to side?
Yer power steering fluid should jump about in the reservoir quite violently when steering. Does it?

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It never makes the noise while steering. Only when accelerating (starts around 1600-1700 rpms).

Bogdan V said:

It never makes the noise while steering. Only when accelerating (starts around 1600-1700 rpms).

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Ok. If it sits at 2000 revs does it still do it or is it only whole the revs are increasing?
Does it do it while stationary at 2000 revs?
Listern to the area where the belts are. It could be a bearing.

Bogdan V said:

It never makes the noise while steering. Only when accelerating (starts around 1600-1700 rpms).

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It's unlikely to be the PS pump, as those generally make noise when making pressure, i.e, when steering.
Are you sure you're not hearing the turbo? Your symptoms point to turbo noise or a boost pressure leak.

Hippo said:

Ok. If it sits at 2000 revs does it still do it or is it only whole the revs are increasing?
Does it do it while stationary at 2000 revs?
Listern to the area where the belts are. It could be a bearing.

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Is still produces the sound even if it just sits at 2000 revs. The sound is directly proportional with the revs. Asked the mechanic if it could be a bearing and he said that he already checked that.

Nodge68 said:

It's unlikely to be the PS pump, as those generally make noise when making pressure, i.e, when steering.
Are you sure you're not hearing the turbo? Your symptoms point to turbo noise or a boost pressure leak.

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Asked the mechanic as well about the turbo or anything else and he confirmed that it can't be the turbo. The main dealer and another mechanic (friend of my uncle) said the same that it's the PAS system.

Also, I haven't felt any issues with the turbo. It runs just as before.

Bogdan V said:

Asked the mechanic as well about the turbo or anything else and he confirmed that it can't be the turbo. The main dealer and another mechanic (friend of my uncle) said the same that it's the PAS system.

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Hi. Did you solve this problem?

moontan said:

Hi. Did you solve this problem?

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Hey!
Not really.

Sometimes it is helpful to think about a problem, not just listen to the dealer and your uncle's mechanic friend. Owning an older complex car becomes an opportunity to learn - and a necessity if enriching dealers and indy's is not an option.

So start by learning how the LR2/FL2 works. Note that the steering rack is a known weak link - an inferior design.



I bought a 2008 FL2 that had failed its Warrant of Fitness (like an MOT) on steering. I took it to a power steering specialist (rebuilds and replaces) who told me the FL2 steering rack is probably one of the cheapest (as in quality) on the market. It's a Ford rack where a Teflon seal wears out and it costs NZ$750 to rebuild (plus another $450 to remove and replace - including tax it was about €715). The orange is the Teflon ring that wears out, the black is the O-ring that then perishes. So, rebuilding your steering rack is a maintenance item, like air struts on a Range Rover - expensive but guaranteed to fail over time.




But logically, the rack is unlikely to whine at certain RPM speeds, especially if only related to RPM, not load when the steering is turned side to side. The only thing that moves at speed (RPM) is the pump.

In my case, I was lucky to find a wrecked LR2 with a $100 rack and $100 pump that I took to the rebuilder. He rebuilt the rack - meaning I know it was done right and have a local warranty, but found my pump was damaged beyond repair:



So he rebuilt the wrecking yard pump and tossed mine (all included in the $1,400 price).

I had already replaced the reservoir which had bits of O-ring and Teflon, but was not blocked. Here is the filter after I cut off the housing:



Now my steering works, does not whine and it passed its WoF. I tell this story to give you a sense of your car. While I paid for the labour and parts, I made a point of understanding how it all works, so I can make an independent assessment, and then document this online in the forum. It's called paying forward.

So let's look at your car.

First, buying refurbished or new parts off the Internet is no guarantee the replacement will work. Living in New Zealand, we are far enough away from the markets that we have specialists who rebuild everything, and at reasonable prices. Do a Google search to see if you have a power steering specialist in Romania. A local rebuild by an expert generally means it will be done right the first time, and if not, redone under warranty without delay.

But I would try a few experiments first. See if you, or your mechanic, can remove the power steering serpentine belt that also drives the alternator and air conditioning. See if the sound goes away. If it does, you still could be facing a bad pump, but also non power-steering problems, like a worn tensioner. If not, it could be the transmission or if you have a turbo, could be that.

Despite what your experts say, unless there is a problem with the fluid, it does not sound like they have diagnosed it right.

When you have found the answer, please document it here to help future owners in your position.