My groan is defintely something other than the pump. I was so certain it
was the pump, that I managed to put three pumps on. The first
replacement of what I thought was a bad pump, was a used, but known good
, pump. But I was suspicious that the pump really wasn't that good. You
know how that goes. The second pump I put on was a rebuilt pump with
warranty - and it groaned like the used known good pump. I thought it
was bad out of the box, so sent it back. Then I got another rebuilt
pump. I got a wee bit smarter this time, and put that pump on my other
van before installing on the groaning one. No groans. So I took it off,
and put it on the groaning van. Power system groaned like pump failure.
So it is definitely not the pump. So - that leaves the plumbing, and the
PS rack. I have a new rack, but haven't installed it yet. Question: how
can I check to see if there is a restriction or if I need a restrictor.
I have no idea how to begin on that. I think I will go ahead with the
new PS rack - and that will definitely tell the tale. New pump, new PS
Rack - if that sucker still groans - it's the plumbing. But sure would
like to know how to check it.

John

John Rodgers
Clayartist and Moldmaker
88'GL VW Bus Driver
Chelsea, AL
Http://www.moldhaus.com

On 12/14/2011 2:45 PM, Alistair Bell wrote:
> I agree that it is most likely a pump defect, but I have just repaired a rubber lined bracket that lies under the airbox and the groaning has mostly gone. The rubber lining of the bracket had shrunk a bit so that one of the steel pipes was not being held firmly.
>
> alistair
>
>
> On 2011-12-14, at 12:03 PM, Dennis Haynes wrote:
>
>> While it is possible for some groans to come from the rack most of the time
>> they originate from the pump. Worn vanes or the housing are the usual cause.
>> Regardless of where you here the noises the pump is the source. Diagnoses
>> can be further compounded due to rebuilt pumps having the same problem.
>> A damper hose or restrictor can sometimes be used to quit a noisy pump.
>>
>> Dennis
>>
>> ----Original Message-----
>> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
>> Alistair Bell
>> Sent: Wednesday, December 14, 2011 12:14 PM
>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>> Subject: Re: power steering groaning
>>
>> Well in my case the groan does not come directly from the pump. It sounds
>> like the pipes, further forward where they disappear at forward end of
>> engine compartment. That is not to say that the pump is not creating
>> conditions that cause the pipes to make noise, but to be clear the pump
>> itself is not groaning.
>>
>> I'm suspecting some sort of isolating mount has come adrift or the pipes
>> have moved/been bent so that they are vibrating on something.
>>
>> alistair
>>
>>
>> On 2011-12-14, at 9:04 AM, John Rodgers wrote:
>>
>>> Alistair,
>>>
>>> I have a similar problem. Systems works fine, have a brand new "Known
>> Good" rebuilt pump with a full warranty - and it still groans like the pump
>> is dying. Checked the lines and flushed thoroughly, installed new filter and
>> refilled with fresh clean AFT - still it moans and groans. I think its my
>> power steering rack gone  bad gone bad somehow. Though it's only been
>> three-rour years since replacement - I have bought another factory rebuilt
>> one from a list vendor. Haven't had a chance yet to install it. Will flush
>> the system again just before installing the new one. Don't want any metal to
>> go through the new one. Will post the results when done. My power steering
>> has been a real PITA on my vans. Have had to replace the pumps or the racks
>> on all three.   $$$$.
>>> John
>>>
>>> John Rodgers
>>> Clayartist and Moldmaker
>>> 88'GL VW Bus Driver
>>> Chelsea, AL
>>> Http://www.moldhaus.com
>>>
>>>
>>> On 12/13/2011 9:35 PM, Alistair Bell wrote:
>>>> I've had a groaning noise in my '86 syncro's power steering ever since I
>> bought it. The location of the noise was hard to find, wasn't the pump,
>> seemed like the metal pipes, where they go forward out of the engine
>> compartment. I just lived with it, got used to it. I did flush the system
>> for fun more than anything.
>>>> Today I listened to the pump again and noted (using screwdriver
>> stethoscope) that the pump was making a noise like a bad bearing. I have a
>> spare used one, so I swapped it in. It is so easy to make the swap in the
>> van, almost a pleasure. After the swap the "bearing noise" was gone, but the
>> groaning remains.
>>>> Apart from the noise, the system works fine. I now have to try some
>> rubber wedges or the like to see if I can dampen any steel line vibrations.
>>>> Not a very informative post, so it goes.
>>>>
>>>> alistair
>>>>
>>>>
>