Steering: 164: - Power Steering Whine

Dylan144GT · Aug 2nd, 2015, 20:34

Hi All,

It has been a while and it is good to be back!

I have been working on Rose (my '70 164) lately and she has developed a bit of a power steering whine when turning either left or right. It seems to be the worst when she is cold and gets better as she warms up. But it is still a concern to me and I would like to address the issue. Could anybody shed some light on where this whine could be coming from? The PS system has three sub systems that I can see; the distribution section on the steering box, the pump that runs off an engine pulley and then the hydraulic fluid reservoir. I think that it is either one of the first two that may be the culprit.

A friend of mine has a theory that the oil might be old and has lost some of its viscosity; is this possible?

Any help or insights would be much appreciated, thanks guys!

Kind regards,

Dylan

c1800 · Aug 3rd, 2015, 05:29

Yes power steering fluid almost never gets changed and it does degrade over time. not sure of the setup you have, but on other vehicles I have used a turkey baster to remove as much fluid as possible, then fill and run. do this 3 or 4 times and you should notice a difference.

Dylan144GT · Aug 3rd, 2015, 08:03

Hi c1800,

Thanks for the reply!

I will have a go at changing out the fluid and report back.

Anyone know what power steering fluid I should put in? My manuals only arrive at the end of the week so I am in the dark a bit until then.

Thanks,

Dylan

140 · Aug 3rd, 2015, 16:16

The Green Book in its day specified ATF Type A or Dexron both of which have been superseded now. The noise could be caused by the vanes in the pump wearing as well. I seem to remember there is also a filter in the reservoir but can never recall replacing one.

I would go for a oil change to start with.

Dylan144GT · Aug 4th, 2015, 11:25

Thanks 140, I will just go and speak to my lubricant supplier to see what I can use seeing as those both have been discontinued.

Again, thanks for the help guys, will keep you posted!

Dylan

Dylan144GT · Aug 5th, 2015, 15:56

Hi Guys,

So, with the help of a friend, we changed the power steering oil today and all is fixed. B-) Well, not entirely, there is a leak on the steering box, but we'll get to that. At least Rose doesn't sound like a groaning cat anymore!

We ended up putting EP90 GL-4 in and it seems to have worked. Thanks to c1800 and 140 for the help. It is much appreciated!

Kind regards,

Dyan

mocambique-amazone · Aug 5th, 2015, 20:43

EP90 GL-4 not really????

poor pump and steering box. Don't start the engine when it's cold outside.

regards, Kay

Dylan144GT · Aug 5th, 2015, 23:43

Hi Kay,

"not really???", why?

Thanks for your insights.

Kind regards,

Dylan

c1800 · Aug 25th, 2015, 14:18

don't use gear oil, it'll destroy the pump. use dexron Auto trans fluid. you'll need to flush the system to get all the gear oil out.

c1800 · Sep 3rd, 2015, 04:37

What did you do?

Aug 2nd, 2015, 20:34	#1
Dylan144GT Member Last Online: May 21st, 2023 08:35 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Cape Town	Power Steering Whine Hi All, It has been a while and it is good to be back! I have been working on Rose (my '70 164) lately and she has developed a bit of a power steering whine when turning either left or right. It seems to be the worst when she is cold and gets better as she warms up. But it is still a concern to me and I would like to address the issue. Could anybody shed some light on where this whine could be coming from? The PS system has three sub systems that I can see; the distribution section on the steering box, the pump that runs off an engine pulley and then the hydraulic fluid reservoir. I think that it is either one of the first two that may be the culprit. A friend of mine has a theory that the oil might be old and has lost some of its viscosity; is this possible? Any help or insights would be much appreciated, thanks guys! Kind regards, Dylan Last edited by Dylan144GT; Aug 2nd, 2015 at 21:08. Reason: Forgot to subscribe...

Aug 5th, 2015, 15:56	#6
Dylan144GT Member Last Online: May 21st, 2023 08:35 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Cape Town	Many thanks! Hi Guys, So, with the help of a friend, we changed the power steering oil today and all is fixed. B-) Well, not entirely, there is a leak on the steering box, but we'll get to that. At least Rose doesn't sound like a groaning cat anymore! We ended up putting EP90 GL-4 in and it seems to have worked. Thanks to c1800 and 140 for the help. It is much appreciated! Kind regards, Dyan

Aug 3rd, 2015, 05:29	#2
c1800 Master Member Last Online: Apr 22nd, 2024 18:48 Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Alberta	Yes power steering fluid almost never gets changed and it does degrade over time. not sure of the setup you have, but on other vehicles I have used a turkey baster to remove as much fluid as possible, then fill and run. do this 3 or 4 times and you should notice a difference.

Aug 3rd, 2015, 08:03	#3
Dylan144GT Member Last Online: May 21st, 2023 08:35 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Cape Town	Hi c1800, Thanks for the reply! I will have a go at changing out the fluid and report back. Anyone know what power steering fluid I should put in? My manuals only arrive at the end of the week so I am in the dark a bit until then. Thanks, Dylan

Aug 3rd, 2015, 16:16	#4
140 Junior Member Last Online: Today 18:13 Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Norwich	The Green Book in its day specified ATF Type A or Dexron both of which have been superseded now. The noise could be caused by the vanes in the pump wearing as well. I seem to remember there is also a filter in the reservoir but can never recall replacing one. I would go for a oil change to start with.

Aug 4th, 2015, 11:25	#5
Dylan144GT Member Last Online: May 21st, 2023 08:35 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Cape Town	Thanks 140, I will just go and speak to my lubricant supplier to see what I can use seeing as those both have been discontinued. Again, thanks for the help guys, will keep you posted! Dylan

Aug 5th, 2015, 20:43	#7
mocambique-amazone Master Member Last Online: Jan 24th, 2022 17:08 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: small village in the north of Germany	EP90 GL-4 not really???? poor pump and steering box. Don't start the engine when it's cold outside. regards, Kay

Aug 5th, 2015, 23:43	#8
Dylan144GT Member Last Online: May 21st, 2023 08:35 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Cape Town	Hi Kay, "not really???", why? Thanks for your insights. Kind regards, Dylan

Aug 25th, 2015, 14:18	#9
c1800 Master Member Last Online: Apr 22nd, 2024 18:48 Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Alberta	don't use gear oil, it'll destroy the pump. use dexron Auto trans fluid. you'll need to flush the system to get all the gear oil out.

Sep 3rd, 2015, 04:37	#10
c1800 Master Member Last Online: Apr 22nd, 2024 18:48 Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Alberta	What did you do?

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