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If there are any VW Audi mehcanics or expert owners on here, I need a little advice with a problem I am having with my power steering.
When steering with a combination of low speed and low revs (eg parking) I get a horrible rumbling from the steering, which also transmits as a vibration through the column. At anything above about 5mph it doesn't happen. If I rev to above about 1200rpm it doesn't happen even if the car is stationery.
I've been told that this can be caused by wear in the alternator clutch, but my alternator has been modified to a solid pulley (the ones with clutches have a nasty habit of letting the pulley go with the consequence that your belts end up wrapped around the cam cover).
I have also tried it with a different power steering pump so I know it isn't that.
In my layman's head it sounds like it is probably something to do with the pressure relief valve in the rack, but would value an expert opinion.
Cheers
Ian
Ian, no expert but i used to have a A4 which did something similar.
It turned out to be the servo pump. The rumbling and vibrations on mine were because there was'nt enough pressure to get the hydraulic fluid working around the system. When i revved my engine i was in a sense boosting the pump's power.
I found with mine that it got worse until the point the power steering packed up.
jk
Cheers JK. I've tried it with a different pump and it is still the same. I've just found it can be down to the belt slipping so I'll have to double check that.
Not a particularly VW/Audi thing, More a general power steering thing.....?
If this occurs at low revs with Full lock or Almost Full lock, It can be the hydraulic fluid racing around the system, ie; from the resevoir through the pump, then through the rack, And back to the resevoir........!
Basically what is happening is that the valves in the rack are wide open at the extremes.....!
Some brands & types rarely experience anything much more than a rushing sound.....Others get more severe side effects.......!
Chances are it's nothing to worry about...!
But for peace of mind, I would have it checked over by an Authorized dealer....OR a competent indipendant hydraulic specialist......!
Cheers Vice. No it isn't just the normal full lock, relief valve type noise, it is happening at all points during the travel from lock to lock.
Cheers
Ian
I've had a very similar thing on my Fiat Ducato van - low revs, parking speeds, trying to turn the wheel and it results in a vibration through the steering, sometimes quite strong. Like you, once I rev a bit more or move a few mph quicker it disappears.
I spoke with a van specialist at a Fiat dealership who told me it was common on my van, even more so with the 2.3 engine than other models! It didn't seem like an engine-specific issue, but I was reassured that it wasn't a "fault" and that there wasn't really anything to be done to rectify it. It happens rarely now, and I've had a full service recently and they didn't spot anything... They did mention they'd changed a component on the steering but given the van's age it probably already had the new part when manufactured.
Sorry I can't really be of any more help...
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