Hello, I'm trying to diagnose a fault on my wife's B8 2.0 tdi, the power steering is noisy when you turn the steering wheel (car stationary) and also there is a vibration through the steering wheel. I've checked the power steering fluid level and that is fine, I'm wondering if it's the alternator clutch pulley but not sure if this would cause the vibration? Any help greatly appreciated!
Alternator clutch pulley
- Thread starter ROLO
- Start date
A seized/seizing clutch would cause a vibration but so would a slack spring the best belt tensioner.
If you’re handy with a spanner loosen the belt and spin the alternator clockwise quickly but hold the pulley. If the alternator spins for another second then the clutch is fine. If it feels solid and wants to spin your hand, then the clutch is goosed. If the clutch is fine it could either be a stretched belt or a slack tensioner.
The belts the cheapest option to change
If you’re handy with a spanner loosen the belt and spin the alternator clockwise quickly but hold the pulley. If the alternator spins for another second then the clutch is fine. If it feels solid and wants to spin your hand, then the clutch is goosed. If the clutch is fine it could either be a stretched belt or a slack tensioner.
The belts the cheapest option to change
I was having a juddering issue in reverse when I first got my car, I to thought it was the alternator clutch pulley but I pulled the belt and it was fine.
I carried out a purge of the power steering fluid and refilled with correct stuff from TPS but this only improved it slightly. After a bit online research I thought it must be the steering column UJ in the engine bay, it's a pain to get to but I found mine bone dry. After a bit of a clean I gave it a spray with some Deep Creep oil and then greased, it's been fine ever since.
I carried out a purge of the power steering fluid and refilled with correct stuff from TPS but this only improved it slightly. After a bit online research I thought it must be the steering column UJ in the engine bay, it's a pain to get to but I found mine bone dry. After a bit of a clean I gave it a spray with some Deep Creep oil and then greased, it's been fine ever since.
