Power Steering noise when turning?

Tiny
BUBBATL19
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  • 2007 BMW 328
  • 3.2L
  • 6 CYL
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 120,000 MILES
The car listed above is a 328i. Power steering sound, squeaky, whining noise when turning. The reservoir and hoses have been replaced, there is no leak seen, no loss in power steering fluid. The car did not have power steering fluid for some time when there was a leak could this have damaged the pump.
Can the pump still be bad even if there are no leaks from the reservoir and hoses and no loss of fluid? I thought if the pump was bad then there would be issues when turning the wheel, would feel heavier but that is not the case. Steering seems fine. Only issue is the sound when turning.
Friday, April 14th, 2023 AT 7:45 PM

21 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Hi,

Certainly, the pump will be damaged if it has no fluid and is run that way. However, like you, I feel you would notice damage when you turn the steering wheel.

By chance, could you record the sounds you hear and upload them for me to hear? I may be able to recognize something that is being missed.

Also, was the correct fluid used to refill the pump and reservoir?

Let me know.

Joe
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Friday, April 14th, 2023 AT 9:53 PM
Tiny
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Thanks Joe,

Correct fluid was put in, and they ran it to make sure it bled and no air bubbles.
Attaching video and pictures.
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Saturday, April 15th, 2023 AT 9:29 AM
Tiny
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Here is picture of reservoir and hoses/clamps. All new.
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Saturday, April 15th, 2023 AT 9:31 AM
Tiny
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Another vid.
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Saturday, April 15th, 2023 AT 6:22 PM
Tiny
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Hi,

I do hear it. If the fluid is full and there is no air in the system, suspect a worn pump. If it still provides normal assist, you can continue driving it that way. Otherwise, the pump will likely need to be replaced.

Let me know your thoughts.

Take care,

Joe
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Saturday, April 15th, 2023 AT 9:35 PM
Tiny
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Thanks Joe.
Steering wheel feels fine like a normal BMW steering and doesn't feel any harder to turn
So a pump can cause noise without causing the steering wheel to have issues because at one point the reservoir was empty (leaking) and no fluid which caused the pump to get worn and bearings bad and basically replacing the reservoir and hoses wasn't able to fix the noise at this point, basically too late fix the pump, is that a fair conclusion?
Car can still be driven just the noise is annoying.
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Saturday, April 15th, 2023 AT 9:42 PM
Tiny
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Hi,

Yes, and yes. The noise may progressively get worse, but as long as the fluid stays full, it should continue to work. Also, I agree that sound is annoying, especially on this nice of a vehicle. LOL

Let me know if there is anything I can do to help.

Joe
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+1
Saturday, April 15th, 2023 AT 9:45 PM
Tiny
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Any issues with getting a pump from China
Any aftermarket oem is expensive and it's a 2007 not worth much
Chefull Power Steering Pump 21-147 for 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 for BMW 128i 3.0L; 2006 for BMW 325i & 325xi, 2007-2013 for BMW 328i, 2013 for BMW 328i xDrive, 2007 2008 for BMW 328xi https://a.co/d/0YLbqoF
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Saturday, April 15th, 2023 AT 9:47 PM
Tiny
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Hi,

It should be fine, but these vehicles can be very touchy. LOL It may end up making more noise than the present one. Does that ship from China or is it already in the US? Also, that is really a low price for one. That scares me. LOL

Let me know if I can help in any way.

Take care,

Joe
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Saturday, April 15th, 2023 AT 10:04 PM
Tiny
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Joe,

The mechanic changed the steering pump and we put in CHF fluid, but the noise is still there. However, noise came after I started driving it. When turning the car on, and when in idle, I would turn the wheels and the sound wasn't there. Only after the mechanic told me to take it for a test drive did the sound come back. After driving, when idle if I rev up the acceleration the sound whining sound was there even without turning the wheel.

He said we will have to look on Monday to see what the issue could be. I don't take it because of the steering pump. Can it be something with tension belt, serpentine belt, bearings, related to the A/C compressor? In regard to my A/C, I get the cold air however when I blast it to full strength it's really loud.
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Friday, April 21st, 2023 AT 10:29 AM
Tiny
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Attaching video of A/C loud sound.
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Friday, April 21st, 2023 AT 10:31 AM
Tiny
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The noise is there if I start driving and the A/C has never been turned on. I was hoping there would no noise when turning wheels with A/C turned off

I'm stumped. Don't want to spend again on a high-end Steering pump and still have the same issue.

Pump, A/C compressor, serpentine belt, pulleys, what could be the issue

Also, before changing the steering pump I never had an issue with the actual steering wheel being too hard to turn and same after changing it.
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Friday, April 21st, 2023 AT 2:13 PM
Tiny
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Car is parked. No turning steering wheel. Listen to the sound.
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Friday, April 21st, 2023 AT 2:45 PM
Tiny
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The belts.
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Friday, April 21st, 2023 AT 2:51 PM
Tiny
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Could my issue be this?

https://youtu.be/XQbkzGVps-Q
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Friday, April 21st, 2023 AT 3:06 PM
Tiny
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Hi,

Anything is possible. If you remove the serpentine belt, start the engine and see if the sound is gone. If it is, then spin the belt-driven accessories by hand to see if anything feels tight or is rough when turning.

I did hear the noise in the second video. That is a traditional power steering pump noise. Also, I listened to the first video you sent and the noise in that video was only when turning. Is that still the same?

Let me know.

Joe

Note: With the belt removed, only run the engine long enough to see if the sound is gone.
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Friday, April 21st, 2023 AT 10:37 PM
Tiny
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Thanks Joe.

Nope the sound is also when not turning.
There is vid with the car in parked and I push down on the accelerator and the sound is there.
We take off the belt and see if we can determine what's going on.
Everything looks with power steering aspect.
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Friday, April 21st, 2023 AT 10:40 PM
Tiny
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Hi,

I agree it sounds like a PS issue. Remove the belt. If the sound is gone, then by hand check each component. Remember, only allow the engine to run just long enough to take note if the sound is gone.

Let me know what you find.

Joe
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Friday, April 21st, 2023 AT 10:57 PM
Tiny
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Sorry I meant I don't think it has to do with power steering because we put in the new pump, the reservoir is new with new hoses and clamps. No leaks, the fluid is full.
And after they let it bleed and made sure there were no bubbles, when they turned on the car it sounded fine. Only after I drove it around the sound was back and then we parked the car, and I would push down on accelerator and the sound was there as well without having to turn the wheel. And when turning the wheel it's just as loud. But there is no issue with turning the wheel no extra force needed.

I'll have them take off the serpentine belt and see if we can pinpoint the noise. I feel like it's more near the passenger front side so near the AC compressor so maybe the clutch/pulley is bad?

If not that then the alternator pulley?

Will take off belt and see.

Thanks
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Friday, April 21st, 2023 AT 11:05 PM
Tiny
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I ordered the belt. When starting the car, the sound isn't there even when turning the wheels. Only after I start driving so that tells me the car needs to be warmed up and all the belts, fluid circulation, pulleys need to be starting before the sound comes HMMMM

Dayco 5060785 Serpentine Belt , Black https://a.co/d/dZVrAdi
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Saturday, April 22nd, 2023 AT 12:34 PM

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