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1999 VW Passat Steering noises.


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vwed
Novice

Aug 11, 2012, 2:23 PM

Post #1 of 18 (6550 views)
1999 VW Passat Steering noises. Sign In

This week my car started making some noise and steering started to go. The noise was a loud whinning noise. I topped off the power steering fluid and it went away. A day later it was back. The fluid is low again. I topped it off again, stareted the car and the tank emptied right out. I let the car run for a few minutes, and can see no leaking. I also see no bubbles, as someone said this might be a sign of an airleak. Is my power steering pump shot? Where is all the fluid going? Thanks for the help.


Discretesignals
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Aug 11, 2012, 2:26 PM

Post #2 of 18 (6545 views)
Re: 1999 VW Passat Steering noises. Sign In

Your going to have to get the vehicle in the air to see where the power steering fluid is leaking from. Could be leaking at the rack seals and filling up boots.





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(This post was edited by Discretesignals on Aug 11, 2012, 2:26 PM)


vwed
Novice

Aug 11, 2012, 2:30 PM

Post #3 of 18 (6528 views)
Re: 1999 VW Passat Steering noises. Sign In

Does the noise indicate the pump is shot or can the noise also come just from the low fluid level? Thanks.


Discretesignals
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Aug 11, 2012, 2:32 PM

Post #4 of 18 (6525 views)
Re: 1999 VW Passat Steering noises. Sign In

The power steering pump can whine if it is low on fluid or if the fluid is aerated. You need to find out where the fluid is going or else it will eventually burn up the pump if you keep driving it like that.





Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.


vwed
Novice

Aug 11, 2012, 2:35 PM

Post #5 of 18 (6520 views)
Re: 1999 VW Passat Steering noises. Sign In

Thanks!


vwed
Novice

Aug 18, 2012, 6:42 AM

Post #6 of 18 (6451 views)
Re: 1999 VW Passat Steering noises. Sign In

The fluid has filled the boots at the tie rod ends. Where do I go from here? Does that mean it is leaking at the rack? Thanks.


vwed
Novice

Aug 18, 2012, 7:08 AM

Post #7 of 18 (6446 views)
Re: 1999 VW Passat Steering noises. Sign In

From what I have seen in shop manual and on line, I think the steering gear is bad or leaking the fluid? Is that the right direction to go.


Discretesignals
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Aug 18, 2012, 7:09 AM

Post #8 of 18 (6442 views)
Re: 1999 VW Passat Steering noises. Sign In

Your correct. You'll have to replace the steering rack for the leaking rack seals.





Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.


vwed
Novice

Aug 18, 2012, 7:18 AM

Post #9 of 18 (6438 views)
Re: 1999 VW Passat Steering noises. Sign In

Thanks. Ed


Discretesignals
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Aug 18, 2012, 7:25 AM

Post #10 of 18 (6437 views)
Re: 1999 VW Passat Steering noises. Sign In

Your welcome, Ed. Let us know how things turn out.





Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.


vwed
Novice

Sep 3, 2012, 12:02 PM

Post #11 of 18 (5924 views)
Re: 1999 VW Passat Steering noises. Sign In

I have most of the rack disconnected. Struggling with the last mounting bolt. Any hints. I sprayed with PB Blaster and am letting soak.


Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Sep 3, 2012, 6:20 PM

Post #12 of 18 (5917 views)
Re: 1999 VW Passat Steering noises. Sign In

Letting the penetrating oil do its work over night is a good idea. Rusty stuck fasteners can be lots of fun.





Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.

(This post was edited by Discretesignals on Sep 3, 2012, 6:21 PM)


vwed
Novice

Sep 4, 2012, 3:06 AM

Post #13 of 18 (5907 views)
Re: 1999 VW Passat Steering noises. Sign In

She is off now, waiting for the replacement to come in. With what has happened, how concerned should I be about the pump being shot? I never drove extended periods without fluid, but had to move the car around a couple times when working on it. How resilient are the pumps? Thanks for all the help.


Discretesignals
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Sep 4, 2012, 4:47 AM

Post #14 of 18 (5901 views)
Re: 1999 VW Passat Steering noises. Sign In

You really can't tell till you get it back together and running again, but I'm confident the pump is going to be alright.





Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.


vwed
Novice

Sep 9, 2012, 2:41 PM

Post #15 of 18 (5806 views)
Re: 1999 VW Passat Steering noises. Sign In

Ok, all back together, no steering issues. But it seems as though the whole column gyrates when steering, rather than a pipe turning, it seems to twist and move slightly left and right and up and down. Did I not notice this before, or is it something I did during install. Thanks.
Ed


Discretesignals
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Sep 10, 2012, 5:01 AM

Post #16 of 18 (5791 views)
Re: 1999 VW Passat Steering noises. Sign In

That is kind of strange. If the steering shaft coupler isn't fully engaged, or the universal joint isn't pivoting could make the column do that.





Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.

(This post was edited by Discretesignals on Sep 10, 2012, 5:01 AM)


Hammer Time
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Sep 10, 2012, 7:05 AM

Post #17 of 18 (5781 views)
Re: 1999 VW Passat Steering noises. Sign In

You probably pulled the collapsible shaft out and now it didn't go back in, causing it to knock inside the tube.



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nickwarner
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Sep 10, 2012, 6:41 PM

Post #18 of 18 (5768 views)
Re: 1999 VW Passat Steering noises. Sign In

Did you bleed the air out when you got it all back together?






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