Over the last month my steering has started to groan, usually only when cold, and on its way to full lock. But now I’ve noticed it’s doing it when warmed up and parking etc which is getting embarrassing in Tescos, I mean Waitrose, I mean Harrods car park!

The fluid level is fine, that’s the first thing I checked, I did notice that it’s not a nice bright red/orange I expect ATF fluid to be more of a dirty brown. The car has done 120,000 miles so I don’t begrudge it PS Fluid change which will be the next thing I do.

What worries me is that I’ve heard that BMW PS Pumps are not very reliable, and even more worrying is that it could be the rack from what I’ve read, that sounds expensive and involved.

Has anyone else had groaning steering?

Dan 

td6 engines power steering pump use cold climate fluid thats bluey green in colour , not sure if the red ATF fluid is the same or ok to use so if your changing the fluid use the LR cold climate fluid that LR recommend for the 4.4 i changed mine and its so much better  onto no6 Range Rover

Everyone needs a hobby

Super, thanks for that, I would probably just have put PAS Fluid in there. I've got some Extreme Climate fluid from when we had a Discovery (they use it in the ACE System) so I can use that to flush the system out.

I looked and that is indeed greeny, so I'll double check my fluid, I'm sure it's red. Do you think there will be any ill effects of the two types mixing?

Thanks for your help.

Dan 

I've mixed mine, I await it blowing up! Discovery 4 HSE
1998 110 TUM HS FFR Hard Top XD WOLF
1982 Series 3 Hard Top

*Gone:L462 D5 HSE LUX, L663 Defender 110 HSE, Discovery 3 HSE, 2014MY Range Rover Sport 5.0 Supercharged AB Dynamic; L405 Exec Vogue SE 4.4, 5.0 Supercharged Autobiography, Defender TDCi XS CSW, Defender TD5 HT, Vogue SE TDV8, Vogue TD6, RRSport SC 4.2V8, Classic 3.9 Vogue Auto, Land Rover Series 3 SWB

Excellent, that's a job for the weekend then.

I'm thinking just siphon out whats in the reservoir, refill with new, turn from lock to lock, empty, refill, and repeat? 

just to be sure please check with the dealer to make sure its suitable for yours , I believe youll need about 2 liters in all and you should have some left over ,as for replacing all i did was syphan the old out the reservour then remove the return pipe from reservour put return pipe in an old plastic bottle , top up with cold climate not to much or it comes out the return pipe hole , start up engine get assistant to turn steering while filling up the reservour and holding the bottle that the old oil will be going in to from the return when you start getting the blueey green fluid in the bottle switch of engine put return pipe back on the reservour top up , start engine , turn steering , check fluid level and for leaks and then have a look at the old manky dirty oil you have collected in tour bottle from the system looks manky doesnt it hope this helps and just a rough guide

IF ALL THAT MAKES SENSE I HOPE IT DOES onto no6 Range Rover

Everyone needs a hobby

Kewl, thanks I checked the part numbers, I only have 1L of it though, I was going to just change the fluid in the reservoir but it sounds like that will only change 50% of it.

Sorry to sound stupid but is the return pipe obvious?

Dan 

if u find your round power steering reservour you should have two pipes exiting at the bottom of the reservour you want the pipe that DOES NOT go to the power steering pump on the engine , the return pipe should come fron the front of the car somewhere as its coming from the fluid cooler then goes into the other port under the reservour THIS PIPE SHOULDNT BE GOING TO THE ENGINE  onto no6 Range Rover

Everyone needs a hobby

That's great thanks, i'm sure I can figure it out from there.

Dan 

Hi Dan

Did you solve this problem?? I've just noticed a dull moan from the steering on my FFRR over the last few days. Can only really hear it when engine is quiet but don't want it to get worse. Its going in next week for some work so will prob ask them to take a look. FFRR TD6 HSE
Adriatic Blue with Parchment leather.

I have a couple more questions:

Should the PAS reservoir have rubber seal for the cap or is it just plastic cap to plastic reservoir?

What level should this be filled too - I've looked on RAVE but it isn't very clear?

Thanks L322 2002 4.4 V8 LPG

PAS fluid level needs to show between the bottom of the dipstick and the middle notch when full.

My groaning steering was fixed when I replaced the lower balljoints.

Dan 

Thanks Dan FFRR TD6 HSE
Adriatic Blue with Parchment leather.

I had groaning steering before Xmas. The PAS system sprung a leak, one of the pipes apparently, almost unheard of (typical).

Cost me £500 to fix at a main dealer. As it had a full fluid change at the same time ie noticed the steering is much lighter and easier than before. Discovery 4 HSE
1998 110 TUM HS FFR Hard Top XD WOLF
1982 Series 3 Hard Top

*Gone:L462 D5 HSE LUX, L663 Defender 110 HSE, Discovery 3 HSE, 2014MY Range Rover Sport 5.0 Supercharged AB Dynamic; L405 Exec Vogue SE 4.4, 5.0 Supercharged Autobiography, Defender TDCi XS CSW, Defender TD5 HT, Vogue SE TDV8, Vogue TD6, RRSport SC 4.2V8, Classic 3.9 Vogue Auto, Land Rover Series 3 SWB

RRUK wrote:

I had groaning steering before Xmas. The PAS system sprung a leak, one of the pipes apparently, almost unheard of (typical).

I know how it is. I seem to get 100% of the normal faults and about 50% of the 'unheard of' problems...  
RRC 2Dr, RRC 4Dr,
P38, and 2 L322s
(wife thinks I'm nuts - prob right, too)