Moaning powersteering
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 1,113
Likes: 144
From: Miami
Moaning powersteering
I want to bring up a concern I have with my powersteering. Seems like with normal driving I have no issue, but after some spirited cornering (I take a corner with a decent amount of grip and G's, enough to really load up the front tires) the powersteering starts to moan as I turn the wheel. Especially noticeable in slow corners.
As far as I know, I believe my Magnasteer is non-operational last time I checked but that never bothered me. Moan noise doesn't really bother me, I'm just concerned the moaning powersteering could by early warning signs of a future failing pump or rack/pinion. Should I be concerned? I don't feel like dishing out for a new P/S pump or even less a new rack and pinion unless I REALLY need it.
As far as I know, I believe my Magnasteer is non-operational last time I checked but that never bothered me. Moan noise doesn't really bother me, I'm just concerned the moaning powersteering could by early warning signs of a future failing pump or rack/pinion. Should I be concerned? I don't feel like dishing out for a new P/S pump or even less a new rack and pinion unless I REALLY need it.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 904
Likes: 295
From: Sacramento, California
It could also be the steering column. I guess there is s spot that can be lubed to make the noise go away. My 02Z makes the moaning noise occasionally, but only after driving for a while.
Steve
Steve
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 1,113
Likes: 144
From: Miami
The moaning noise I'm talking about is proportional to the front tire loading. The more load on the steering system (whether it's from heavy cornering effort or from bottoming out rack during full steering lock left or right), the louder the moan. To me it sounds like the steering pump complaining with high load.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 143
Likes: 24
From: NV
I have the same issue when coming off track. The pump whines when going in the paddock after exiting the track. It is fine once the car cools. The fluid change may get rid of the noise but I have been told the heat will harm the rack seals. My Z06 has a cooler on the fluid already so the next option is to GB o with a Turn 1 pump with a smaller impeller. Stock impeller is designed for lower rpm than I see on track and puts a lot of heat into the fluid at high rpm.
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 1,113
Likes: 144
From: Miami
Will do. I was wrong when I said I've never changed it before; I simply forgot I actually added P/S fluid to the reservoir last year after I did the cam job, which required me to remove the rack and pinion back then. I had put just regular Prestone P/S fluid off the shelf from a regular auto parts store. The basic stuff.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 143
Likes: 24
From: NV
My question is, by going to Synthetic do you cure the noise but still have a problem with temperature on the seals in the rack? I would love to just swap fluid vs. pull the pump get it modified , and reinstall. Mine only make noise when coming off the track hot, and does have the cooler on the PS fluid already.
Last edited by EZ Glider; Jan 8, 2020 at 04:59 PM. Reason: info
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 1,113
Likes: 144
From: Miami
It’s a 99 FRC with Z51 package. Yes, it has the PS cooler heat exchanger. I found the PS reservoir to be near empty; looks like I have a small leak somewhere. Filled it up with Synthetic Prestone PS fluid. So far so good. No noise after some spirited cornering and high rpms.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,515
Likes: 441
From: Arizona
It’s a 99 FRC with Z51 package. Yes, it has the PS cooler heat exchanger. I found the PS reservoir to be near empty; looks like I have a small leak somewhere. Filled it up with Synthetic Prestone PS fluid. So far so good. No noise after some spirited cornering and high rpms.
Last edited by STRMLNE; Jan 10, 2020 at 05:44 PM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 1,113
Likes: 144
From: Miami