Steering noise/vibration

[mtnance]

03 Disco, 60,455 miles, nothing modified. Serviced at every LR interval at a dealer. (Verified)

Some of the time (not all), I get a hesitating rumble sound when turning the steering wheel, normally if sitting still. (As if the wheel doesn't want to turn.) There is a heavy vibration in the steering wheel during my hand pressure for a second or two, goes away if I start to move forward. Obviously either the pump, steering box, or hoses are acting up. Fluid levels okay.

If what I described sounds familiar, would you replace the pump first to see if that's the issue? I've also been told to first change out and flush the fluid, replace with Lucas Stop Leak, though I have no leak.

[Disco Mike]

If you have not flushed the steering, I would do that and add a bottle of Lucas to the system, this usually helps.
Mike

[brian4d]

Mtnance:

I tried Lucas and the sound got better, but after a month or so it came back... This prompted me to do one fluid flush after another (5 total). Every time I'd put in New fresh amber fluid it would turn black in one day. After the 4th flush I decided to try plain old (non-syn) Texico (amber in color) ps fluid. I figured "why not try what the manual recomends?" I flushed it again and wa-laa! I have amber fluid and very little noise. I can say I was starting to go a little "nuts" trying to keep the fluid amber. It took me 5 flushes in all and I had to drive about a week between flushes.

[Disco Mike]

Vavoline synthetic p/s fluid is what I use and I swear by it.
Mike

[Alak]

Originally Posted by Disco Mike

Vavoline synthetic p/s fluid is what I use and I swear by it.
Mike

Me too.

I've flushed my system a few times during various repairs. When I was at a rover specialist awhile back he commented "Thats the cleanest power steering fluid I've ever seen."

[mursim]

I have a 2001 Disc . I am also experiencing the same issues. When I turn the truck on it has a humming sound. When I make a left or turn it makes a loud noise(embarrassing!). I took it to a shop and without putting the truck on a lift… just listening he told me I needed to replace my steering pump.

My steering fluid is full. Do you also recommend that I flush and use Lucas?

[Disco Mike]

What happens if you turn to the the steering to the right?
If you don't have the noise when turning right then it is not the pump.
When did you last service the steering?
Mike

[brian4d]

I guess everyone's Disco is different... Val Syn made it quiet down, but not go away for me. It might be because I should have flushed it a few more times then ended up with Val Syn....

[mursim]

Hi Mike,
I left out the right side. If I turn left or right it makes the loud noise. To be honest - I don't recall ever servicing the PS system.

[mursim]

So how do I flush the system?

[mtnance]

For the person who has never flushed the system, I'd like that info as well. Sounds messy.

Disco Mike: I do not really recall the noise turning left, but I know it has turning right. That's not to say it never has (to the left). Going right just happens to be the direction I go after backing out of driveway.

[jmrivera]

Is the "Bleeding" procedure the best way to change the fluid?