I noticed today when parking that my power steering was making all sorts of noises from ticking to a sort of crackling noise.
Its ok when idling on the drive and ok when driving.
The car is a 95 model year so could it be time for a replacement?
Does anyone know if the steering rack is mechanical and rebuildable or are they electronic like the Mk2's.
I have also noticed that my aircon compressor also makes a noise at idle too, not sure if it is all related or not.
Can anyone offer any help/advice.
Thanks

[quote name='Keith Bowler' post='685452' date='Aug 10 2009, 10:31 PM']I noticed today when parking that my power steering was making all sorts of noises from ticking to a sort of crackling noise.
Its ok when idling on the drive and ok when driving.
The car is a 95 model year so could it be time for a replacement?
Does anyone know if the steering rack is mechanical and rebuildable or are they electronic like the Mk2's.
I have also noticed that my aircon compressor also makes a noise at idle too, not sure if it is all related or not.
Can anyone offer any help/advice.
Thanks[/quote]

Check the drive belt to make sure it isn't loose and also the pulley. That would seem the probable cause as both the a/c and power steering seem affected.

Is the fluid level ok?

[quote name='TigerFish' post='685491' date='Aug 11 2009, 10:28 AM']Is the fluid level ok?[/quote]

Fluid level is OK and aircon seems as cool as its always been.
Will check belt

[quote name='dave1' post='685478' date='Aug 11 2009, 08:04 AM'][quote name='Keith Bowler' post='685452' date='Aug 10 2009, 10:31 PM']I noticed today when parking that my power steering was making all sorts of noises from ticking to a sort of crackling noise.
Its ok when idling on the drive and ok when driving.
The car is a 95 model year so could it be time for a replacement?
Does anyone know if the steering rack is mechanical and rebuildable or are they electronic like the Mk2's.
I have also noticed that my aircon compressor also makes a noise at idle too, not sure if it is all related or not.
Can anyone offer any help/advice.
Thanks[/quote]

Check the drive belt to make sure it isn't loose and also the pulley. That would seem the probable cause as both the a/c and power steering seem affected.
[/quote]

By drive belt do you mean the belt that I can see rather than the cambelt?

[quote name='Keith Bowler' post='685701' date='Aug 12 2009, 06:22 PM'][quote name='dave1' post='685478' date='Aug 11 2009, 08:04 AM'][quote name='Keith Bowler' post='685452' date='Aug 10 2009, 10:31 PM']I noticed today when parking that my power steering was making all sorts of noises from ticking to a sort of crackling noise.
Its ok when idling on the drive and ok when driving.
The car is a 95 model year so could it be time for a replacement?
Does anyone know if the steering rack is mechanical and rebuildable or are they electronic like the Mk2's.
I have also noticed that my aircon compressor also makes a noise at idle too, not sure if it is all related or not.
Can anyone offer any help/advice.
Thanks[/quote]

Check the drive belt to make sure it isn't loose and also the pulley. That would seem the probable cause as both the a/c and power steering seem affected.
[/quote]

By drive belt do you mean the belt that I can see rather than the cambelt?
[/quote]
Yes. The auxilliary drive belt not the cambelt. If you look at it you will see that it runs the a/c and power steering. If you are in RAC or similar you could call them out....just say that you are worried about driving it even a short distance with unexplained noises....they will probably diagnose aux drive belt too.