wierd sound when turning
 

I went out of town on thursday and parked my car in underground. Came back today and took the car out, now it sounds like a light sabre when i turn the car. It makes wierd sounds but not when driving straight.

Any ideas, i was thinking power steering fluid, but it is good.

Re: wierd sound when turning
 

It may be the power steering pump but its also a great idea to check your CV joints. They can easily go bad and can lead to this noise if it wasn't caught in time. This is especially true if your front wheels have been VERY dirty the last little while no matter how often you wash them, its a symptom of a torn CV boot.

Re: wierd sound when turning
 

Do you have a more accurate sound of the noise? I really have no idea what a light saber would sund like.

As mentioned, a power steering pump that is going can make this noise when turning but it can go away when the car is going straight. Does it make the same noise with the car stopped when dry-steering?

If the power steering belt is loose, worn, or wet & loose can also do this when under load. If this is the case the you can either tighten the belt or replace it. What has the weather been like in your area?

If the pressure valves or power steering rack are going then you may see the same thing. What oil are you using in the power steering system? If it is not OEM then you can see some problems as well. What is the level of the power steering fluid?

There are other things that can cause this but they are usually mechanical and worn when turning or going straight. If you have a caliper that is sticking or brake pads that are not moving freely then it can do the same thing when side-loading the pads and the noise will also go away when going striaght.

Re: wierd sound when turning
 

Very good point, using cheapo steering fluid can cause all sorts of problems with the steering pump and even sludge like you'd get in your engine.

Re: wierd sound when turning
 

im not really too sure how i can describe it but i have got to the bottom of it, the power steering belt has an uneven wear pattern and it appears that it has been worn down pretty far, so im looking at replacing it and seeing why it would cause this wear when i take it out.

my power steering fluid was filled with quality fluid as well, and the cv joints were all fine so im hoping that it is just the belt

Re: wierd sound when turning
 

it's probably your belt slipping if it has uneven wear...

Re: wierd sound when turning
 

Thats probably the culprit then, the worn belt should be alright as long as there isn't something much worse causing it, you should be alright after a replacement.

Re: wierd sound when turning
 

does it sound kind of like a wamping or weaning sound? if so my a4 is doing the saaame thing..it also may feel "loose" when you mash around the corners id have a shop check it out for like 20$, my issue is worn out control arms and i think something with my god dmn steering rack..also is its the control arms the stealership told me that the wheel wont fly off/break..(Aka it is kinda safe...at least in my case dont quote me on that please.)

Re: wierd sound when turning
 

hey im new on this site but i also have a weird turning noise. its like a bumping sound. it doesnt do it when im going straight but even when i slightly turn at about 15mph and above it starts bumping any idea?

Re: wierd sound when turning
 

Sounds to me that most likely it's the belt. Change it and see what happens. Also think about changing your belt tensioner, if it isn't working properly the belt will go loose. I would hesitate to think pump or rack. The pump usually starts making noise due to lack of fluid and you say the fluid is fine. The rack you'll feel rather than hear.

Might want to flush the system just to be sure.