Faint grinding noise when the steering wheel is rotated in very slow speed

Tiny
YOURMINKY
  • MEMBER
  • 2000 HYUNDAI ELANTRA
  • 2.0L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 111,000 MILES
This car makes a humming or faint grinding noise when the steering wheel is rotated in very slow speed or when stopped. It only happens when the engine is cold, goes away after a few minutes of driving. Power steering and other belts are sixteen months old. Belts had a chirping noise which went away a few months ago.
Is it a belt issue or something else?
Sunday, November 18th, 2018 AT 9:35 PM

50 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,569 POSTS
Hi and thanks for using 2CarPros.

A humming noise will not come from a belt. Have you checked the power steering fluid? Steering fluid expands when it warms up. If it is low, the sound may change when the engine gets warm. Take a look through this link.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/power-steering-problems

Next, can you tell me if the vehicle has to be moving to hear the noise or is it only when sitting still? Last, can you tell approximately where the sound is coming from?

Let me know.

Take care,

Joe
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Monday, November 19th, 2018 AT 7:28 PM
Tiny
YOURMINKY
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It is the original power steering fluid from 2000. The fluid level is okay.
The vehicle does not have to moving to hear the noise. The noise is there even when the car is fully stopped. When the car is stopped or moving at very slow speed, if I rotate the steering wheel either way and hold it, the grinding noise continues until I rotate the steering wheel back to straight position.
The sound seems to be coming from the front side. The sound is similar to brake dragging but I do not think the brake is dragging because the car runs fine.
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Tuesday, November 20th, 2018 AT 2:12 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,569 POSTS
Welcome back:

Okay, that eliminates a wheel/hub bearing. When you are turning the wheel that far, that puts a greater load on the power steering unit. If the fluid is dirty and has never been serviced, there is a chance it is the pump. You would need to open the hood, locate the pump, and then have a helper turn the wheel as you described so you could confirm that is where the noise is coming from.

Under these conditions, I actually use an automotive stethoscope. By placing one on the component in question, you can tell if that is where the noise is coming from.

Here are some links for you to review that discuss power steering issues, how to service the pump (which would be a good thing to try first) and in general, how one is replaced:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/power-steering-problems

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/power-steering-fluid-flush

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-a-power-steering-pump

If you decide to replace it, some pumps require that you remove the old pulley and install it on the new pump. Here is a link that shows how that is done.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/remove-reinstall-power-steering-pulley

If you decide to rebuild the one in the vehicle, here are the directions specific to your vehicle for an overhaul. I also wanted to include this because it shows how to remove and replace the pump if you decide to just get another pump. All attached pictures correlate with these directions.
_________________________________

UNIT OVERHAUL
REMOVAL

1. Remove the pressure hose from the oil pump.
2. Disconnect the suction hose from the suction connector and drain the fluid into a container.

3. Loosen the oil pump mounting bolts to remove the V-belt.
4. Loosen the tension adjusting bolt.

5. Remove the power steering drive belt from the power steering oil pump pulley.
6. Remove the power steering oil pump mounting bolts and the tension adjusting bolt.

7. Remove the power steering oil pump assembly.

NOTE: Be careful not to drip fluid from the power steering oil pump.

8. Remove the power steering oil pump mounting bracket.

9. Remove the suction pipe and the O-ring from the oil pump.

10. Remove the rear cover with the gasket and pins.
11. Remove the cam ring.
12. Remove the rotor and vanes.
13. Remove the front side plate.

14. Remove the inner and outer O-ring.
15. Remove the spring.

NOTE: When assembling, use a new gasket and O-ring.

16. Remove the pulley nut with the spring washer.
17. Pull off the pulley and the woodruff key.

18. Remove the snap ring using snap ring pliers.
19. Drive out the pulley shaft with the bearing. If necessary, use a plastic hammer.

20. Remove the oil seal from the oil pump body.

NOTE: When assembling, use a new oil seal.

21. Remove the guide bracket and nut.

22. Remove the connector from the oil pump body, and take out the flow control valve and the flow control spring.
23. Remove the O-ring from the connector.

CAUTION: Do not disassemble the flow control valve.

24. Remove the oil pump switch.

25. Take out the spring and the spool.
26. Remove the O-ring from the oil pump switch.

REASSEMBLY
1. Install the oil pump switch.
2. Install the flow control valve spring, valve and connector in the pump body.

NOTE: Apply a thin coat of specified ATF DEXRON II type fluid to all the replaced parts including the oil seal and the O-ring.

3. Install the guide bracket and nut.

4. Using a special tool, install the oil seal into the pump body.

5. Gently insert the shaft assembly and install the snap ring.
6. Install the pump pulley with woodruff key in place.

7. Install the spring and the inner and outer O-rings.
8. Install the front side plate.

9. Insert the pins into the pin grooves of front housing, then install the cam ring, paying attention to its direction.

10. Install the rotor with its punch marked side facing towards the front side plate.
11. Install the vane plates with the round end facing outward.
12. Install the gasket and the rear cover.
13. Tighten the suction connector.
14. Installation is the reverse order of removal.

NOTE:
1. Install the hoses so that they are not twisted and they do not come in contact with any other parts.
2. Install parts by referring to the torque specification.
3. Replenish the fluid.
Recommended fluid Specified PSF - 3 type
4. Bleed the system.
5. Check the oil pump pressure.

INSPECTION
1. Clean all disassembled parts with a suitable cleaning solvent.
2. If any inside parts of the oil pump have been damaged, replace the pump as an assembly.
3. If the pulley is cracked or deformed, replace it.
4. If oil leaks around the pulley shaft oil seal, replace the oil seal.
5. If the serrations of the pulley or pulley shaft are deformed or worn, replace them.

___________________________________

I have to be honest. By the time you purchase parts and the time you will put into it, I feel you would be further ahead just to get a remanufactured pump from a parts store. However, I wanted to include it in case you decided to rebuild the one you have.

Take care and let me know how things go or if you have any questions. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family, too.

Joe
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Tuesday, November 20th, 2018 AT 5:55 PM
Tiny
YOURMINKY
  • MEMBER
  • 106 POSTS
Thank you for the detailed reply. I did some testing and found the following:
The noise only happens when the car is in gear, moving slowly or fully stopped with steering rotated and held in rotated position.
No noise when rotating the steering and the engine is off.
No noise when rotating the steering and the engine is on but the transmission is in parked position.
By the way can I first try to take out some PS fluid with a turkey baster and replace with fresh fluid? Is there a drain plug to easily get rid of the old fluid?
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Thursday, November 22nd, 2018 AT 2:18 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Welcome back.

Is there any way you could upload an audio of the noise you are hearing so I can hear it? Also, servicing the system is always a good first step. Using a turkey baster is a good idea. But, just because it is Thanksgiving, does not mean it can be reused when you finish. LOL

Draw out as much as you can and then refill. Start the engine and turn the steering all the way left and all the way right. Do this several times.

Repeat that process until the fluid remains clean. There are no drains for this.

Let me know if that helps.

Joe
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Thursday, November 22nd, 2018 AT 5:59 PM
Tiny
YOURMINKY
  • MEMBER
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The power steering fluid reservoir probably holds 1 or 2 ounces of fluid total. Is it okay to siphon out the 2 ounces of fluid or do I have to maintain a minimum fluid level at all times like the brake fluid reservoir?
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Sunday, November 25th, 2018 AT 2:12 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,569 POSTS
When you remove fluid, replace what was taken with new before starting.

As far as maintaining a minimum such as a master cylinder, it is not necessary. However, do not start the engine when it is low.

Let me know how things go for you.

Joe
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Sunday, November 25th, 2018 AT 5:00 PM
Tiny
YOURMINKY
  • MEMBER
  • 106 POSTS
I saw on YouTube videos that people are suggested unplugging the low pressure hose and draining all fluid and turning engine on and rotating steering to get all fluid out. Is that not risky that way because the pump may burn out running without fluid? By the way, is it okay to use generic power steering fluid sold at Walmart?
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Sunday, December 2nd, 2018 AT 2:32 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Hi again:

As long as the fluid meets the manufacturer's specs, it will be fine. As far as disconnecting the low pressure hose? Ugh, you will end up with a big mess if you start the engine. Also, you do not want to run the pump empty or low on fluid.
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Sunday, December 2nd, 2018 AT 5:16 PM
Tiny
YOURMINKY
  • MEMBER
  • 106 POSTS
I do not have the owner's manual. Anyone has the PDF? I called both AutoZone and Advanced Auto and they both said their store brand generic power steering fluid should be fine. Do you know what kind of power steering fluid used by 2000 Hyundai Elantra? I checked the reservoir and the cap and they did not say what type of fluid to use. I am planning to use Walmart Supertech power steering fluid.
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Saturday, December 8th, 2018 AT 10:49 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,569 POSTS
Welcome back.

I attached a picture which indicates the type of power steering used in this vehicle.
Dexron II which is actually automatic transmission fluid. Regardless, that is what it requires.
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Sunday, December 9th, 2018 AT 7:54 PM
Tiny
YOURMINKY
  • MEMBER
  • 106 POSTS
Thanks for the information. I went to Walmart today but could not find Dexron II. There are plenty of Dexron III, IV and their generics available. Is Dexron III or IV or high mileage ATF okay for this vehicle's power steering?
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Sunday, December 16th, 2018 AT 12:54 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,569 POSTS
Welcome back:
Based on my research, Dexron III is fine to use.

Let me know if you have other questions. Also, often times, it will indicate on the bottle what it is compatible with.

Take care,
Joe
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Sunday, December 16th, 2018 AT 7:09 PM
Tiny
YOURMINKY
  • MEMBER
  • 106 POSTS
Is it okay to use Type F ATF in 2000 Hyundai Elantra power steering?
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Saturday, January 5th, 2019 AT 12:03 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,569 POSTS
Welcome back:

Although they are similar, I wouldn't use it. Use the dexron III they had.

Let me know if you have other questions.

Joe
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Saturday, January 5th, 2019 AT 10:52 PM
Tiny
YOURMINKY
  • MEMBER
  • 106 POSTS
There was an incident. The car lost power steering ability while driving and then several minutes later some of the power in steering came back. After opening the hood I saw power steering fluid around the power steering reservoir and even on the hood, so the old fluid leaked for some reason. I was supposed to siphon out the old fluid anyway in order to get rid of the whining noise. This incident kind of helped me getting rid of the old fluid.
Previously, there was a grinding/whining sound coming from the drive belt area that's why I started this thread, now the noise is even louder since the incident.
Bought a Sea Foam Hydra Trans Tune and a quart of Dexron II and III compatible ATF. Added 6 ounces of Sea Foam and filled the rest of the power steering reservoir with the ATF.
Started the car, rotated the steering end-to-end, idled for a while and then drove around. When the steering rotated to either ends, the whining got louder. Didn't see any fluid leaking.
I took the power steering belt off and checked the power steering pulley and it was wiggling up to a few millimeters which didn't feel normal. I have audio and video, will it help if I upload? Is it a bad power steering pump or just the pulley?
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Saturday, January 5th, 2019 AT 11:41 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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If you are getting up and down play in the pulley, that isn't normal. Also, you may be getting a leak from the seal at the front of the pump where the shaft comes through to attach to the pulley.

Upload the sound and if you can, a video of you moving the pulley so I can see how much play is there. If it leaked once, it's going to again. Also, since is sprayed, either the high pressure line leaked (which would still be leaking) or fluid came through the aforementioned shaft, hitting the pulley and flinging everywhere.

Let me know.

Joe
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Sunday, January 6th, 2019 AT 12:19 AM
Tiny
YOURMINKY
  • MEMBER
  • 106 POSTS
I was driving today and I lost power steering. Parked and went shopping and afterwards the steering was still very hard and then it eased up and I got power steering back. Drove around for a couple of hours and power steering was fine. Haven't opened the hood yet to see if the fluid leaked. Will update soon. I just wanted to upload the video from yesterday. It is no longer a faint sound as I initially reported.
I could not upload the audio file which I recorded yesterday. The web site said file type not allowed. Only video files and photos can be uploaded.
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Sunday, January 6th, 2019 AT 6:55 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,569 POSTS
Hi:
Does the noise change when turning?

Joe
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Sunday, January 6th, 2019 AT 7:34 PM
Tiny
YOURMINKY
  • MEMBER
  • 106 POSTS
The noise is constant. The loudness lowers a bit after driving for half an hour or more, but not by much.
When parked and the steering is rotated from lock to lock, there is an additional whining noise when the steering reaches the max left or right.
When the engine is started cold there is the other grinding noise when the steering is rotated from straight and held at a rotated position, either left or right which is the initial reason I started this thread. Is there any way I can send you guys the audio files?
By the way, the power steering fluid did not leak yesterday when I lost power on the steering.
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Monday, January 7th, 2019 AT 10:40 AM

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