Hi everyone,
I bought a Freelander 2 2.2 TD4 with a blown engine – swapped the engine and it’s running great now.

But there’s a horrible noise when turning the steering wheel, both when idle and while driving. I thought it was the power steering pump, so I replaced it – but the noise is still there. I also changed the reservoir because the old one had a lot of black sludge in the filter.

With the engine running and not touching the steering wheel, bubbles start to appear in the power steering reservoir after a while.

Also, the power steering fluid gets very hot after just a few minutes of idling.

I've attached a video of the noise when turning the wheel while idling.

Anyone had this issue or know what it could be?

Thanks!

When you did the work on the steering pump etc., did you follow the correct method for bleeding the system after, without starting the engine? And using the correct fluid?

Freddie17 said:

When you did the work on the steering pump etc., did you follow the correct method for bleeding the system after, without starting the engine? And using the correct fluid?

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Hello, thanks for your answer! I used the correct CHF 202 fluid.
I’m worried because after reading more, I realized I started the engine to bleed it, which isn’t the proper method.
What surprises me most is the huge amount of black sludge in the reservoir filter—it was completely clogged.

There is a chance the pump has been damaged.
Others here may be able to reasonably confirm from the noise and the info above.
@Nodge68 ?

Freddie17 said:

There is a chance the pump has been damaged.
Others here may be able to reasonably confirm from the noise and the info above.
@Nodge68 ?

Click to expand...

Thanks for your answer.

Quick update: lifted the car, replaced the power steering reservoir with a completely new one, fixed a small leak at the quick connector, and tightened the pump hose clamp just in case. I also bled the system properly with the wheels in the air. No strange noises when turning the wheel, both in the air and on the ground with engine on. Road test tomorrow — fingers crossed it works fine. Will update!

sadfreelander said:

Thanks for your answer.

Quick update: lifted the car, replaced the power steering reservoir with a completely new one, fixed a small leak at the quick connector, and tightened the pump hose clamp just in case. I also bled the system properly with the wheels in the air. No strange noises when turning the wheel, both in the air and on the ground with engine on. Road test tomorrow — fingers crossed it works fine. Will update!

Click to expand...

Possibly just an air lock and no damage done - fingers crossed for you