I've just recently noticed a low grumbling/wrenching noise coming from the engine bay during idle. I also noticed that the noise get amplified even more whenever I turn the steering wheel from left to right and vice versa while the car was still warming up. The whole time the car is parked btw. This hasn't occured in any of the previous winters in CA and have also noticed that after the car is warmed up after 5-10 mins of driving the sound is completely gone.

Not sure if it's the belt, etc. Any car pros wanna chime in? Thanks!

 

check your power steering fluid, I'm willing to bet it might be low...if the fluid is at the proper level, it could be an indicator that the pump is going to go in the near future...turn it ALL the way to either side, if it gets even louder, this should reaffirm the above statement. That's where I'd look first.

 

Thanks ITL for the info. Yeah, it looks like it may be the pump. Checked this morning and the "noise" is definitely coming from that area. I though it was the pulley but then realized the steering pump is mounted right behind the pulley. Steering fluid reservoir level is good so it's gotta be the pump.

Will a lowered car have any major effects on the steering pump? I can already hear the ACS manager telling me the pump has failed/broke because of my aftermarket suspension so it won't be under warranty B.S.

Thanks
-ed-

 

nope, suspension won't affect your p/s pump

 

cool bro, thanks.

 

Would a whine while turning the wheel (at low speeds and at all times) indicate the PS pump is going out? The fluid is at the correct level.

BTW - this isn't for my TL, just a general question.

 

Probably. I'm thinking in my case the extra 5-10 minutes after starting up allows the pump/steering fluid to travel through all the steering pump lines/hoses so the steering fluid can get to where it needs to be. Maybe that's why in my case, the sound goes away after warm-up or 10 minutes of driving (right now I just let the car warm up and give the pump some extra time to get the steering fluid circulated).

If the sound happens all the time at low speeds (since at high speeds, you're not cranking on the wheel from all the way left to all the way right) I would definitely say a bad/clogged/leaking steering pump is in effect.

 

The system is filled with fluid, and is always filled with fluid, unless it leaks out.
The fluid will warm up and thin out as the system warms up, you may be into a pressure relief valve with thick fluid which might make noise, or the pump could cavitate.. You could also have a belt problem, they can sometimes look fine but make noise till they warm up.
A power steering pump should last over 100,000 miles, they are (were) simple
pumps, now with speed sensitive steering, they may be a bit more complex, but should still last a long time. Pumping a lubricant is an easy job.

Brett

 

Thanks Brett for the info. I think in my case it might be a very small leak. Near the top of the steering pump I've noticed what looks to be dirt that has accumulated where the oil has probably started to seep out. Either way, good to hear you mention about the pressure relief valve as I can appear somewhat competent as I tell the ACS manager and list off what may be the problem.

Thanks!

 

It could, but then again it could just be a noisy pump...I've noticed that p/s pumps on Fords tend to be noisy.

 

Also, is the steering pump similar to a small water pump found on a motorcycle? The pump will have some sort of paddle wheel to circulate the fluid and since the shaft runs straight through it to allow mounting of the pulley....it seems as if that would cause the paddle to spin allowing the steering fluid to circulate.

 

It's a Toyota.

 

It will be more like an oil pump, not a water pump. Most oil pumps are a different design, with lobes in an ecentric, fuel pumps are similar but smaller.
The power steering pump likely makes a good amount of pressure, 100 psi or
above.

Brett