Buzzing when steering is at full lock

I get a pronounced buzzing noise when ever I turn my steering wheel full left or right. Is that normal?

 

That is the sound of your PS pump straining its guts out. Once you hit full lock there is no place for the pressure to go and it builds up in the system.

There isn't a pressure relief system in most PS systems, holding the wheels in the full lock position is not good for the PS pump. If I have to make a sharp turn and hit the stop I just back off the wheel to take the strain off the pump.

Hope this helps...

 

thanks Keith, i've been wondering about that. figured it was not the best thing to have my steering at full lock making that noise. nice to know what the noise is

 

Smart man not many ppl know that.

 

My tiresare 265 michelin ltx m/s. so not very large. Usually when it makes the noise I jive the wheel back and forth like an F1 driver taking a turn so that the noise isnt constant.

But should my truck be making the noise? Its normal right?

 

If the noise goes away once you get off full lock it should be ok. Prolonged stress will cause the PS pump to fail eventually. Just keep track of the fluid level for signs of leaks (other than the obvious drip) and smell of the oil (burnt means you've been doing it to much).

Best advice... avoid full lock!

 

Ya that noise is normal when your in full lock position. The noise will very from vehicle to vehicle, with some PS pumps making a sortof scrapping sound when fully locked to (like my truck and my dads truck) a buzzing sound. Tire size really shouldn't play apart in the noise, but does unfortunately add a bit more strain to the system.