two questions

[go5]

hey all,

I have ad some noise (rumbling?) coming from my vents when my a/c and/ or fans has been on (hot or cold). What could be that issueor soution.

also my steering has started to get really loud and seems rough on turns.

I am not mechanical as you see but want to know what it may be before I take it in

Thanks

[Xidion]

What type of noise does it make when you are turning? does it only do it when you turn left or right? does it stop when you turn left or right? is it a click? a clunk? a moan? a growl?

[go5]

i wod say it makes noise both ways. I woud call it a moan, kind of vinrates a bit (very small) but it sounds like a stress vibration if that makes sense.

[Xidion]

is it only over bumps? at all speeds? are you sure you have enough power steering fluid in the car? and its not leaking out?

[go5]

i noticed badly today when I was parking the car and having to turn the wheel. The fluid seems fine.

[rixGAphx]

Originally posted by go5
I have some noise (rumbling?) coming from my vents when my AC and/or fans have been on (hot or cold).
What could it be?
Probably the bearings of the heater fan motor, though this doesn't seem to be a common GA problem.

The motor is on the firewall, engine side, in a black metal-and-plastic box. Kinda beneath the shaft of the passenger-side windshield wiper.
Make a shade-tree mechanic's stethoscope from a couple feet of garden hose. With the engine 'off' and the htr/AC fan 'on', listen with the stethoscope for the source of the noise.

I understand that changing this motor is an absolute PITA.

My steering has started to get really loud, and seems rough on turns.
You say it's kind of a 'moaning'.
This is about the sound that a power steering pump makes when the seals on the vanes (inside) are worn and leaking.
Use the stethoscope on this, too.

You say there is some 'stress vibration'.
I assume you mean you are feeling this thru the steering whell, rather than in the car body/seat/your butt.

What did you 'notice badly today': The moaning noise, or the vibration, or both?

There are two major ways that a Power Steering system can give noise/vibration problems without leaking to the outside or dropping fluid level:
1. The steering rack (horizontal pipe runnniing along the firewall, just below the htr/AC fan box) has a set of internal seals; these can fail, so that you no longer get 'power assist'.
I don't think this is your problem.
2. The PS Pump has vanes or gears that spin round, and pump pressurized fluid to the rack. The vane/gear has rubber seals on the edges to seal tight to the pump walls.
The seals wear out, so the pump doesn't produce as much pressure.
the result is noise, 'pulsating' pressure in the pressure lines (which transfers to your hands as vibration), and weak or no power assist.
I think this is your problem.
A mechanic can better confirm this.

Good luck.
-Rick