Power Steering Query

[Pillock]

Yo.

 

My Golf is making an eeek-eeek-eeek-eeek noise when the engine is running, and on startup gives a loud squeal like the waterpump has gone. I was going to just go ahead and replace the waterpump (for the second time, my new one departed the car on the old engine.... tosser didn't swap it over) BUT I've noticed that the noise almost goes away if I put a bit of pressure on the steering at idle.

 

PAS pump is right below the waterpump, but they're close enough not to be able to tell where the noise is coming from. Waterpump is on a belt with the alternator, PAS is on a belt of it's own so if I wang the belt off, it should tell me which one is noisy, yeah?

 

My query is, therefore, is it safe to drive a PAS car with the PAS pump disconnected, or will bad things happen i.e. blowing seals when I turn the wheel etc. I'm aware that the steering will be heavier, obviously

[garethj]

if I wang the belt off, it should tell me which one is noisy, yeah?

Yeah

My query is, therefore, is it safe to drive a PAS car with the PAS pump disconnected, or will bad things happen i.e. blowing seals when I turn the wheel etc. I'm aware that the steering will be heavier, obviously

You’ll be fine, but I wouldn’t drive it far because it’ll be really heavy

[Pillock]

Will it be heavier than a Non-PAS Golf? I.e. does all the gubbins bolted to the rack increase the force needed if it's not working?

[scaryoldcortina]

yeah, it will feel lots heavier than a non PAS rack, mainly because of the gearing difference (turns to lock) rather than the lack of pump.

[meggersdog]

Probably just the PAS belt.If you turn it on full lock and hold it there does the "eeeek-eeeek" reappear ?.

[Pillock]

Yes. The noise only quietens (never totally goes, but gets much quieter) if I put a bit of pressure on the wheel and start to slowly turn. Once I hit full lock, it's noisy again - even louder, proper squeal.

[garethj]

Probably just the PAS belt.If you turn it on full lock and hold it there does the "eeeek-eeeek" reappear ?.

 

How does it go, again?

[meggersdog]

It will be a single V belt that's gone hard and shiney and is slipping on the pulley wheels.Easiest way to tell is by pouring a little water on it whilst it's making the noise.If the noise changes pitch or goes completely for a few seconds it's the belt.

[Guest Leonard Hatred]

My last Golf used to lose power assistance if it hit a puddle. Often half way around bends.

[Pillock]

I hope it's not a shiny belt, they're only two months old. New cam, PAS and alternator belts when the engine was put in. Well, I hope it is the belt but I know it won't be......

Just a shame it's permenantly dark. Oh well, only three more days of pissing off everyone on the street with eeeeek-eeeeek-eeeeeek at 7am.