300TDi power steering - horrible noise when wheel turned

[robbie]

AARRGGHH!!!!!

you take the car off the road for a few weeks, the prop goes (which is now fixed with a new one!!!!), which was bad enough.....

AND NOW...... the power steering fluid ran dry. I topped it up but it is now making a horrible noise when the wheel is turned either left or right.

I dont know if it just air that is in and if I now need to bleed the system or not..... I thought it would be self bleeding anyway if it ran dry....

The fluid was marked on the can as Auto Transmission Fluid, but also for Power Steering so I think it is correct.

When I unscrew the lid on the reservoir, the fluid looks to have loads of small bubbles in it.....

Anyone have any ideas???

[PUX]

ah u have air in the system does ur steering go lumpy sometimes when steering i would bleed it if i was u      hopefully that will stop the prob  

[Budgie]

I think I'd also be looking at why the PAS run dry in the first place.  :?
They don't run dry without there being a leak somewhere and unless you find the problem then it could happen again.

These systems don't self bleed, you have to do it from the PAS box. There is a bleed nipple in the top cover. Oh and don't move the steering wheel when the bleed nipple is open, it makes a nice red shower in the engine bay!!  

[grizz]

Leaky power steering sems to be a problem with disco's, once you've topped the fluid up you've got to bleed the system then with the engine running turn the steering from lock to lock and get someone to top the system up as you do it, hopefully that'll solve the problem

[robbie]

Thanks guys for the info. I thought it would self bleed, obviously not :(

I will check out the bleeding tomorrow. There is a small leak which I had  not noticed until today. There is a small pool under the front nearside where the oil has obviously escaped from.

I was only saying last night that I didnt think I had a leaking Landy too!!!! How wrong could I have been.....

[seph234]

its probably leaking from the bottom seal near the drop arm.  joe

[robbie]

it did look like it was dripping on the nearside and not near the steering box, but I may be mistaken, I will check tomorrow when it is light again

[robbie]

Ok then.... having tried to bleed the system and not got anywhere at all (except I am now minus 5ltr of ATF!!!!) whats the secret??

I unscrew the bleed valve, nothing comes out.... so I start the engine, undo the bleed valve and loads comes out..... loads of tiny bubbles in the fluid, great stuff I think......

5 minutes later its still got loads of bubbles in the fluid and no sign of it getting better at all..... still a big tub of froth in the reservior too. Now my can of ATF is almost empty with no noticable improvement

 :(sulk):

I guess what I need now is an idiots guide to bleeding the damned thing.....

Anyone like to oblige? :)

[petergalileo]

Top up tank, start engine, turn from lock to lock.  Top up tank again.  Then undo the bleed screw slightly.

To release some of your worry, I just changed my steering pump and steering box.  I bled it (as above) It took a couple of days for the bubles to disapear completely.  once they did I undid the bleed screw again to make sure I got all the air out.

Is the drop arm under the steering box covered with oil ? as someone said before, they are notorious for leaking from the bottom seal.  I ignored mine for too long and it washed all the grease from the ball joint on the drop arm so ended up replacing that too !

[robbie]

Ta for that, I will have another go now that I know I'm not doing anything stupid....

As for the leaking, I think there is a small drip from the pump itself, the underneath of the steering box is dry (or it was before I started bleeding it, it sure aint now ). I think the main reason it has gone dry (apart from the leak) is cos it has been stood for weeks and I havent been checking fluid levels etc. I am trying to get it back on the road in the next week or so, but will obviously need to keep my eye on the level of this one....

I'll let you know how I get on

[petergalileo]

Well, I will keep my fingers crossed you havent knackered your pump, they are self lubricating and really dont like running out of fluid, but seeing as you said you had oil come from the bleed screw when the engine was running I reckon yours is okay.

[Skutter]

Hi did you find where it was leaking as I have a similar trail on the pump side?

Cheers

[robbie]

Yeeh I did actually. It is where a small 90 degree pipe allows the flexible hose from the reserviore to connect to the pump. There is a small rubber 'O' ring connecting the actual pipe attachment to the pump, and this is leaking from here, or at least it keeps getting wet there when I dry in that area.

You can only see the pipe I am meaning from underneath and with a light on it. Simply follow the flexible hose from tbhe resrvoir and you will see what I mean.

The question now is, can you get a replacement 'O' ring??? If so, where from??

[beast5680]

if that o ring has gone it could be your pump is drawing in air hence the frothing etc, you should be able to get an oring from a local motor factors or garage they usually have a selection box they can pick one out of

[robbie]

got the new O ring, put it on the pump fitment, only to find it still seems to be dripping a little from somewhere. As I cant really see very well all around the pump I have decided to get a new one anyway.

So, its under the car again tomorrow.......

Baahh Humbug and all that

[Range Rover Blues]

The PAS box can bleed itself if you trun it lock to lock a few times but it's best to then check the bleed nipple afterwards.  The little bubbles are just one of those things, it's part of the reason there is a reservoir anyway.  Also check your PAS belt isn't slipping and the steering isn't too stiff as the PAS pump has internal pressure relief, you should hear it when you turn to full lock.  Don't hold it there as it heats the fluid rapidly.  I fyou hear that noise and it's not at full lock the steering is binding or your tyres are very grippy.

[robbie]

Ta for all the info and helpful hints.

I (eventually..... cos the pulley didnt want to come off!!!!) put the new pump on, bled it twice and hey presto....... powered steering agaqin without the noise :D

now insured again and back on the road :D much better than the Peugeot......