Power steering noise/leak/question. All opinions welcome!

[ELVA164]

Hi guys,

Background info:
So my car came to me with the original steering rack and ZF pump. The rack was hemorrhaging fluid so I took the opportunity to replace the rack with an E36 one as well as get a new reservoir, low pressure hose (I kept the high pressure one in because it fit well, but I have a new one I ended up not using...), and new crush washers of course. I put a crush washer on each side of the two banjo bolts. The pump made an odd groan since the rack swap and I was nervous it was dying, so I bought a good used ZF and installed it. I installed a second new reservoir at the same time. This time, I only used one crush washer per banjo bolt because that's how it originally was. The second pump groaned identically to the first, despite definitely being in better condition. Now the pump is leaking at the smaller banjo fitting and it's definitely tight.

Questions:
1. Are these crush washers in the correct location or should I use one on each side? Does anything else look awry?



2. What could be causing the groan at idle? It's the same with two different pumps, and the rack was freshly rebuilt. The belt is definitely tight, though I can check it again I suppose. Any thoughts appreciated.

Thanks!

[Grackle]

Does it groan all the time or only when you turn the wheels?

[ELVA164]

Constant groan at idle, doesn't seem to get louder with higher loads (e.g. turning the wheels, quick steering inputs). The groan will change slightly in pitch with rpm, also.

[Grackle]

Certainly sounds like a bad pump, or that it is low on fluid, I would presume you checked that first though. Did you get to hear the second pump before you installed it?

[ELVA164]

Nah, it was shipped to me. The thing is the noise is identical to the first pump and it seems unlikely both would be equally bad but still function perfectly (no leaks, extra noise under load, loss of power steering). It is possible though.

[Grackle]

I could definitely be wrong, but in my experience it sounds like the pump. You could always ditch the pump and go manual. That would fix the groaning for sure. :)

[ELVA164]

I could definitely be wrong, but in my experience it sounds like the pump. You could always ditch the pump and go manual. That would fix the groaning for sure. :)

Hmm, that's too bad. Well, knowing that I'll try what I can and see if it helps. If not, I guess I'll have to find another pump :(

You are right about manual steering, but this is my daily driver so I don't mind the creature comforts. I've got manual steering in the Cortina when I'm itching for it!