Hi all,

i am new to this site and this is my first problem post.I have mk1 octavia VRS and when i got it the power steering was whining when manouvering.So i replaced the pump and is still noisy and not as light as i think it should be.A friend has got MK4 Golf 1.8t and his steering is really light but mine doesnt seem right.Any ideas or any experience with this issue???

Cheers Alex

what powersteering fluid are you using if your just using atf this may be the cause of you problem genuine fluid is much thinner also atf can damage the seals in the pump and rack

Nope using CHF 11S which is the green stuff.They tyre pressures are all good.There are no leaks or loss of fluid so i cant work it out.Ive got another pump to put on but its such a ball ache to fit.Just thought maybe someone may have come across it before. :p

Could be a problem with the rack, or could a previous owner have changed it for a quicker rack from a TT or R32 perhaps?

I presume that all of the hoses and pipes are OK and not kinked?

Could be a problem with the rack, or could a previous owner have changed it for a quicker rack from a TT or R32 perhaps?

I presume that all of the hoses and pipes are OK and not kinked?

So the quick rack is heavier then? Just I noticed that on mine.

Good luck sortin it mate

So the quick rack is heavier then? Just I noticed that on mine.

Good luck sortin it mate

I would have thought it would be heaver as the gearing is changed in order to reduce the number of turns lock to lock. If you have the same pump delivering the same pressure as before the end result must be heavier steering.

I would have thought it would be heaver as the gearing is changed in order to reduce the number of turns lock to lock. If you have the same pump delivering the same pressure as before the end result must be heavier steering.

Ah so if you do the rack best get a R32 pump too?

I think air in the hydraulic fluid can also make it noisy and ineffective. Have you bled the rack?

I had a car some time back which had a pressure relief valve that opened when the pressure was too high if you tried to turn beyond full lock. That was very noisy when it opened. I don't know if VAG cars use the same system but if they do, could a faulty pressure relief valve be the cause? Just a thought.

I look forward to the views of the experts on here.

Ah so if you do the rack best get a R32 pump too?

Probably won't make any difference. The steering is just heavier because the rack is higher geared.

Best way to see if you have a quick rack is to count the turns of the steering wheel from one lock to the other, i think it's 2.5 turns but i may be corrected

Best way to see if you have a quick rack is to count the turns of the steering wheel from one lock to the other, i think it's 2.5 turns but i may be corrected

Yea but go to a car park and move slowly while doin it. Don't try doing it stationary coz it might nog give you a tru readin

Hi all, my power steering was whining at low speeds and towards the full lock position, i.e. at its most stressed. My local and trustworthy garage identified the seal had failed in the power steering oul reservoir. A simple and cheap fix. There was a small sign of oil behind the washer bottle. No oil on the drive so a very small leak but enough to cause a problem. Its back to full health now! 97k miles totally standard 04 plate Mk1 Vrs.

I'm running a quick rack on my vrs with standard pump and its noticably heavier than the standard rack,

If the system has air in it it will also be noisy on lock, best way to get rid of air in system is to check level after cars been parked over night to get a decent reading on level, also might be worth flushing the system and putting fresh fluid in it

thats because you should upgrade the pump as the vrs pump is 90psi and the quick racks have 100psi pumps

but have to say the heavier felling is nice and gives a good feel but they designed a stronger pump for a reason !!

but have to say the heavier felling is nice and gives a good feel but they designed a stronger pump for a reason !!

yeah i like the heavier fell which is why i haven't changed the pump