Faint grinding noise when the steering wheel is rotated in very slow speed

Tiny
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Welcome back:

You can add audio via the video selection. As far as the problem, I am starting to think the problem may not be the pump, but rather the rack and pinion going bad. Does it ever feel tight like it doesn't want to turn or as if it sticks?

Let me know.
Joe
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Monday, January 7th, 2019 AT 4:52 PM
Tiny
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Thanks for the reply. So far, the power on steering was lost twice while driving and the steering became hard and then it automatically restored itself after ten minutes. The constant rattling sound is likely coming from the power steering pump (not 100% sure though) because the power steering pulley has a lot of play.

If I take the power steering belt off and start the engine, will it harm the car? That way if the rattling sound goes away because of the non-rotating power steering pulley, it will eliminate the power steering pump and pulley as the suspects, right?

I checked YouTube videos and the classic rack and pinion symptoms are not there. After making a turn, the steering auto-centers itself and rotates back to straight position automatically just like a new car.
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Wednesday, January 9th, 2019 AT 7:11 PM
Tiny
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Hi:

It is safe to remove the belt, but don't run the engine longer than you need because other problems can happen. Just run it a few seconds to determine of the noise is gone.

Since you have the play, chances are the pump is bad.

Let me know.
Joe
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Wednesday, January 9th, 2019 AT 7:38 PM
Tiny
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I haven't had a chance to remove the power steering belt and determine the source of the noise yet. It is too cold outside.
There is a brand new sound coming from underneath the car. It sounds like rubber rubbing. The noise is loud and only happens after starting the engine and eventually becomes a softer intermittent noise after a few minutes. I'll upload the sound samples soon.
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Friday, January 18th, 2019 AT 10:30 AM
Tiny
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Welcome back:

That sounds like the serpentine belt. When the weather changes, remove the belt and see if anything is locking up. I have a feeling that is what you are going to find.

Let me know

Joe
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Friday, January 18th, 2019 AT 7:01 PM
Tiny
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Here is an audio file. There are two noises. One is the constant rattle from beginning to end which I suspect to be the power steering pulley. But the new sound is the squeak, sound like rubber balloon rubbing against something.
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Friday, January 18th, 2019 AT 9:39 PM
Tiny
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Hi again. They must not have uploaded. Nothing is there.
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Friday, January 18th, 2019 AT 9:53 PM
Tiny
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The site will not accept mp3 or m4a audio files. I converted the mp3 file to a mp4 and it will still not upload.
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Friday, January 18th, 2019 AT 10:04 PM
Tiny
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Used an online tool and created a video from the audio file and a photo that this website will allow uploading. Here is the audio:
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Friday, January 18th, 2019 AT 10:14 PM
Tiny
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I got it. I hear a bearing noise which is most likely the pump. My belief is the pump is causing the belt issue. Other than the bad bearing noise that I'm hearing, I can't hear anything from the belt itself, but suspect it the pump is causing the problem.
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Saturday, January 19th, 2019 AT 12:46 PM
Tiny
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That squeaking noise that sounds like rubber or plastic rubbing that starts from the tenth second of the video is the new noise I am talking about. It does not seem like bearing noise to me. Can you please listen to it again and let me know?
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Saturday, January 19th, 2019 AT 11:20 PM
Tiny
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Below is another audio. I am concerned about the squeaking and banging noise that starts after seven seconds on the video and lasts until the end of the video. This is a new noise that recently started besides the constant rattle of the power steering pulley. The noise starts when the engine is restarted and the car starts moving. The noise kind of goes away (but not all the way) after a few minutes. The car drives okay even with this new rubber ducky squeaking noise. What is causing this new squeak and thud noise?
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Saturday, January 19th, 2019 AT 11:37 PM
Tiny
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Welcome back:
I hear it for sure. Without being there, I can't say with 100% certainty. However, it does sound like one of the belt driven accessories. You should remove the belt and check all of the belt driven accessories. If the pump is bad, it should be replaced. It may be making all the noises you hear. Honestly, it wouldn't surprise me. You may be hearing the belt moving on the pulley causing a squeak. As the pump gets worse, sound will most likely change again.

Joe
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Sunday, January 20th, 2019 AT 7:44 PM
Tiny
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Thanks for your reply.
This car has 3 drive belts. Is it OK to run the engine with all 3 belts removed? Can I actually drive the car without the belts?
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Wednesday, January 23rd, 2019 AT 6:19 PM
Tiny
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Welcome back:
Yes, you can for a very short time without the belts. However, no longer than a few seconds to see if the sound is gone. The belts run the alternator, water pump. So if must be a brief amount of time.
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Wednesday, January 23rd, 2019 AT 7:52 PM
Tiny
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Thanks for your reply. The new squeaky sound appears only when the car is moving.
How can I test that without driving the car which requires all belts to be on?
The new squeak that is on the latest video is coming from underneath the car which is movement related. I'd be surprised if the bad PS pulley is also causing the new squeak. Maybe bad rack and pinion? Maybe bad bearing or ball joint (all of which have been replaced in the last year)?
I have not taken the belt off yet because it is extremely cold outside.
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Thursday, January 24th, 2019 AT 9:50 PM
Tiny
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Hi:

I didn't realize it was coming from under the vehicle, so I agree with you. If it is speed related, check to make sure the brakes are good. They do have a warning sensor on the pads that will squeak when the pads need replaced. Also, take notice if the sound or pitch changes when turning and let me know what you find.

Joe
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Friday, January 25th, 2019 AT 5:29 PM
Tiny
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  • 2000 HYUNDAI ELANTRA
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I reached out to you earlier regarding this but never had a chance to fix the issue. My old Hyundai is making loud grinding noise when moving. For the last couple of years there a rumbling noise when moving and the wheel bearing and ball-joint were replaced last year. But the rumbling noise never went away. It is a rumbling, crumbling and very loud grinding noise now. Tested wheel today, no sideways or up and down play at 3 and 9 O'clock and 6 and 12 O'clock. Dust shield is not scraping. The ball-joints and rubber boots look okay. Brake pads are one year old. The slight rattling and ticking noise when the car starts is a power steering pump noise which is very different than the rumbling grinding noise that I am trying to diagnose. Over the winter months there a squeaky rubber-ducky type noise which is gone now. The car has been making this grinding noise for six months now and it runs fine otherwise. Is it the strut bearing or the joints, worn out rubber or something else making the grinding noise? Advanced thanks for your help. I uploaded a video on YouTube regarding this issue. Here is the link:
https://youtu.be/nrz6r30mspg
I also have two audio files.
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Sunday, May 5th, 2019 AT 12:35 PM (Merged)
Tiny
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Here is another low resolution dash-cam video with audio. You can hear the rubber-ducky type sound when going round at the cul-de-sac towards the end. Previously I mentioned the rubber-ducky type sound was gone.
I boosted the audio gain by 20dB on the youtube video which may appear a bit noisy, my bad. I tried uploading the 2 "clean" MP3 audio files to 2carpros but your website stated "file type not allowed". Is there any way to send you those audio files? Advanced thanks for your help.
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Sunday, May 5th, 2019 AT 12:35 PM (Merged)
Tiny
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Hello,

Just a quick question. Did someone driving this vehicle run over a curb or go to fast over a high speed bump or something like that? Okay, now on to the problem. This sounds to me like you have a Constant Velocity Joint(s)(CV Joint)(s) that are going out on this vehicle. From what I can on the video the rubber ducky noise sounds like a popping noise when you are going around corners. This is what a CV joint that is going out will sound like. Anyway, in the diagrams down below I have included a trans axle diagnostic chart for what the problem is when this noise is present, and an exploded view of the trans axle assembly, as well as removal and installation instructions for the CV joint. Please go through the guides and get back to us with what you are able to find out.

Thanks,
Alex
2CarPros
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Sunday, May 5th, 2019 AT 12:35 PM (Merged)

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