power steering pump whine

[estutjaweh]

hello all.

So a few years ago my chimp developed a whine which appeared to come from the Power steering pump. As the steering rack was leaking I decided to replace the pump and hoses while the rack was re-sealed. Said whine (which by the way is only audible when the engine is warm) continued so I got fed up and let it whine for a while.

Annnnywaaaay, as I am currently sort of selling my Chimp so Im trying to sort out the niggles so any perspective owner won't have to. Since the pump was replaced without any alteration in the noise, I decided it must be the alternator because I had replaced the engine with water pump in the time between now and the steering pump being replaced. New alternator fitted today - noise is still there. This time I am certain its coming from the steering pump again.

Is it normal for a steering pump bearing to fail in under 2 years and only 5000miles (approx.)?
Can the pump bearing(s?) be replaced separately or will I need to swap out the whole unit again?
Could this just be poor luck that the whine has moved around the engine bay as parts have been replaced so it appears it never actually went away?
Could any other aspect of the engine that I haven't considered cause this whine (standard screwdriver to ear test says its definitely the pump area directly)?

The noise is a supercharger style whine. Only occurs when engine is hot. Is definitely RPM dependent as not audible in idle. Not diff or gearbox as is audible when stationary. Car does not have AC.

Any ideas welcome. Stewart.

[BoostedChim]

Is it a constant whine or does it get worse when turning? The power steering system normally only whines under load eg when you're turning the steering wheel.

[estutjaweh]

Its constant but louder with higher RPM. At idle its pretty much non-existent, at higher revs its like a supercharger at full chat!

[JWzed]

Are you sure it's not the belt tensioner? Makes a lot of noise when the bearing is on the way out.

[estutjaweh]

I thought that was a plausible source as well so when the pump was initially swapped out, I eliminated the extra bearing by fitting a JE alternator bracket without roller tensioner.

[JWzed]

Water pump bearing?

[estutjaweh]

I upgraded from a 4.0 to a 5.0 litre engine between replacing the power steering pump and replacing the alternator just now. I stripped and inspected the entire (used) engine sending heads off for valve work and painting everything etc before fitting the engine. The water pump on the 5.0l engine was ok and the noise didn't disappear after it was fitted which I why I felt it must be a belt driven ancillary. The screwdriver-to-ear test does indicate it is coming from the steering pump area though rather than the water pump.

Aggh its annoying.

[ukdj]

Does the alternator have the external fan arrangement or just the pulley externally? as I fitted an alternator to my sons chim that had an internal fan which howled/whined like a banshee despite being brand new

[Willtl]

Probably no help to the opening poster (so apologies for interupting), but I just picked up a Griffith at the weekend and get a whine (which I assumed was from the power steering) at low speeds (turning, not just for the fun of making the sound). Is this the norm?

[estutjaweh]

Alternator is the standard internal fan serpentine jobbie.

Edited by estutjaweh on Monday 1st June 15:35

[NZ fan]

It could possibly be air getting in via the suction hose from the resivour. Don't now if you have ever replaced this hose but the clips ( which there are 4 of) don't clamp up very round iyswim which may explain why from cold it's ok as the air in the fluid has expelled up through the resivour but a small leak would allow air slowly back in as it warms up.
Just a thought good luck.