When idling, my car is creating a strange metal on metal sounding noise. This noise is intermittent in the fact that it is not a constant grinding but off and on as the car idles. I've tracked down the noise to the power steering pump by using a long screwdriver and I've replaced the pump twice; Once with a pump pulled from a 50k Evo8 and once with a rebuilt power steering pump. Both pumps produced this same noise.

I'm positive it is not coming from the timing belt as I've pulled the serpentine belt and the noise goes away.

When running today it appeared the power steering pump pulley was wobbling as the car idled, is this normal?

Open to any ideas on how to fix this problem as I'm not ready to drop $800 on a new pump just to have it not resolve the problem. I've searched around the forum and have only found recommendations to replace the pump.

Thanks in advance for the assistance guys.

Mod Include: TBE, Intake, Lightweight Flywheel, and Stage 1 Clutch.

Solution:

Received a bad power steering pump from the company that rebuilt mine. Solution is to replace the pump with a working unit.

 

Not normal. However, you should check if it is the pump shaft wobbling or maybe just the pump getting ready to fall off of its mount.

 

Just double checked and definitely the shaft/pulley is wobbling a little. The body of the power steering pump isn't moving a bit. I also double checked all bolts to ensure none were loose.

The noise appears to start once the car is warmed up. After checking the mounting HW I started my car, which had been sitting for a while and no noise. Once the car heated up a little, headers hot to the touch, the noise was back. I'm trying to send my rebuilt pump back for another on warranty but they want me to wait a week to see if the sound subsides.

I just find it odd that three power steering pumps have made the same noise. Then again none of the power steering pumps were new. I'm just hesitant to drop $800 on a new one without being 100% sure it'll solve the problem.

If I can find a friend with a camera I'll post a video of the sound. Until them I'm open to any ideas on how to fix or troubleshoot this issue.

 

Well found a video of the sound coming from the same area, roughly the power steering pump:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQZW-...eature=related

I've place a large screw driver on the power steering pump and the noise sounds internal to it. I've already replaced the idler and tensioner pulleys less than 100 miles ago... Still open to ideas.

 

Nightly Bump

 

AM Bump... I checked the sticky on the Evo IX noise but not 100% sure its the same noise.

 

Nightly bump...

 

Desperation bump

 

Bump....

 

4th of July Bump...

 

Don't feel too bad, my evo makes the same squeeking noise. I also know it's not the timing belt or idlers as I just replaced them all and the water pump for the 60k service and the noise is still there.

Kinda infuriating as it makes the car sound broken, although the power steering works fine, never gets overrun, and is full on fluid. I'm thinking it has to be the bearing for the drive wheel, but like you, it only makes the noise once at operating temp.

I need to go buy a cheap pair of those mechanical stethoscopes to try and pinpoint exactly where the noise is coming from. But in the meantime, she drives just fine, although sounds a little odd at idle.

 

You ever find a solution???

 

what kind of power steering fluid are you guys putting in.. ever had it flushed?

 

I may get flamed for this but I'm using some Prestone stuff I picked up at the Auto Store. Is this bad?

I read about properly bleeding the system otherwise a strange noise may be present.

Is it hard to flush these systems your self or am I better off leaving it to the professionals?

 

Well went back to the Auto store and picked up some containers of Royal Purple power steering fluid and flushed the system and installed new fluid. After bleeding the system the noise still appears but its a constant moan instead of whats captured in my attached vide0 (See earlier post).