JSTAN

Hello

I have an 02 Z06.

The other day I was at Limerock attending an HPDE.

This track is mostly right hand turns.

I noticed that everytime I turned right, I heard a noise similar to what you would hear if you were running low on power steering fluid.

The noise would not appear turning left.

Yesterday I was driving around town and noticed everytime I turned right, it made this noise and never turning left.

Does this issue sounds like a bad pump, rack or something else?

Thoughts?

Thanks
Jason

SouthernSon

Order the power steering pump from Turn One today. Your steering is not long for this world. If it turns out to be the rack, they can fix that, too. However, start with the pump. You need it even if you later determine the rack has a problem. Mine is a '03 - been there, done that.

CHJ In Virginia

I agree with the above poster. Your pump is on limited time. Turn One for the replacement and spend the extra few $ and get their billett pulley. It has slots which make the install MUCH easier. Be sure to flush out the rack and entire system and use a quality synthetic fluid.

TheKomoman

Agree with both of the replies, just went through this on my '02 Z after VIR. I got lucky and was able to find a used steering rack, will have the original rebuilt by Turn One as a spare. Also got their PS pump. Turn One says what happens is the PS pump overheats and it melts a Delrin bushing in the rack which allows fluid through. Their PS pump reportedly helps the overheating issue greatly.

J.R.

Turn One pump rocks.

JSTAN

Thanks Guys, I thought this might be the problem.

Will be placing an order for a new pump.

sperkins

You sure it's not a LF hub bearing?

J.R.

If you order pump make sure you get the unit with removable pulley.

You do not want to try to put the plastic stock one back in place.

JSTAN

I checked both left and right front wheels for play, hands on 3 and 9 and 12 and 6, no movement, also no noise when you spin the tires.

sperkins

I've had plenty of hub bearings go bad without being loose.
Turn the wheels when parked and see if you get the noise. If it's PS related, it should be worse sitting still than it would be driving.

JSTAN

Just turned on the car and turned the wheels left and right, no noise like I get when I have the car moving and turning right.

Based on this, it does make sense that the bearing might be shot. I've just never had experience with a bad bearing not having play.

braknl8

If only 23 more people will "like" Turn One's Facebook page the pumps will be 20% off for a month. Get over there and like them, I need a pump too!!

braknl8

To the OP: what tires were you running during the DE (level of grip/bearing load)?

JSTAN

Now only 22.

JSTAN

Pirelli WC slicks

braknl8

I'm thinking out loud so forgive me if it doesn't make sense but would jacking the front off the ground so that neither tire had resistance then trying to simulate the noise by turning the wheel be a way to eliminate the bearing since, of the two variables, the ps pump would be the only one being called on? I could also see the less friction lessening the pump work so I don't know how reliable of a test that would be...

Falcon

I'm kinda going with Scott.

I've had bearing roar like a lion, but not have any play at all.

Since you're going to have to change bearing sooner or later anyway, that'd be what I'd change first since it's much easier.

If the car still makes noise, you're no worse off, and you have an extra hub/bearing in your spare's box. Then you can go for the pump.

mgarfias

LIked. Too bad they werent doing such things when i got my pump.

mgarfias

Oh, and I'd add that the billet pulley gives you another advantage: when you take the old pump off there is no need to try to save it, just break that mf'er and make it easier to get the pump out.

TheKomoman

Ditto and