Crazy noise, could be power steering failure?

[louiser78]

Hi,

I've got a 2003 Mini Cooper S. It was serviced 2 months ago at a specialist, and one of the things I got them to look at was a whining noise. My steering has always had a bit of a whine, but it was starting to get louder, and not just when I turned the wheel. They service the car and checked everything but couldn't find an actual fault. When I asked about the noise they said the power steering pump could be on it's way out - but don't do anything yet as it's expensive to replace. (Everything else was fine on the Service - and it was a major one, so everything was checked/replaced as needed).

Anyway a couple of months later and now a loud awful whine/clattering noise has appeared. It comes on as soon as you start the car, doesn't change with speed, doesn't seem to be linked to the fan etc. The only time the noise changes is when I turn the wheels and then the pitch of the noise changes slightly, or it may pause for a second or so. People on the street are even helpfully telling me my car sounds awful - so it must be pretty loud!

I've added a video on file so you can hear it:
youtube.com/watch?v=Xgk2dqv-uCQ&feature

I have read about the dreaded power steering pump issues, and can't help but think it may be connected. But at the moment my steering still works fine, and the noise stops when the engine is turned off. And so far I haven't found any posts about people with a noise in the run up to it failing.

Has anybody else had similar issues to these? Do you think it's the steering pump, or something else?

I have talked to the Mini dealer near me, but they want £90 for a Diagnostics session even before any work is done!

[R50myStarbuck]

I have loud whine noise without the clattering when turning my 2002 MC steering, MINI dealer stop it by topping up the power steering fluid.
They said it was the power steering pump dying and leaking fluid, will cost $1500AUD to replace it, I am still thinking of getting it done since it is working now.

Mind you it already cost me $200 for the diagnostic, hope you have better luck than me.

[mab01uk]

Whine when turning is normal, all Mk1 Mini ps pumps whine but does not necessarily mean it is failing.
More:
Power Steering Pump replacement - Forums