hi guys, i'm brand new to this site. i have a 2000 volvo V70 SE that is having trouble with the power steering (making noise). i'm pretty sure thats what the problem is because when i tried to turn the wheel all the way to one side, the sound gets louder and and idle drops a bit. vehicle has 140,000 miles on it. i have worked with cars before and am confident it is the power steering pump. the fluid level is full, i checked. but if there's anything else i should be looking at, please let me know.
Also, does anyone know of where i can get a replacement pump for less than 'volvo' brand, but still is a good pump? i know volvo parts are expensive, but i haven't priced this yet.
pretty sure i can fix this but is there anything i need to look out for?
thanks a lot for your help, guys.
dan

 

I would guess the pump also.
I have bought from FCP Groton and eEuroparts on here. Both are good to deal with. Check em out.

 

Hello, When I bought my 1999 w/48K, it had a growl in its P/S operation. A flush quieted it for 50,000 miles. It returned. Within a week it was extremely loud. I bought a replacement from a junker for $40. At the time there was an unresolved question about Volvo changing to synthetic power steering fluid. There were other mid year changes to the S/V70 line in 1999. The owners manual as well as everyone's maiden aunt said to use ATF. The replacement pump was from a 2000 and had pale green fluid in it. Pentosin CHF-11 is what it was pumping. If you want to use Volvo fluid; let's see some cash. Many claim that the reservoir cap is an overlooked maintenance item. The non-replaceable gasket crushes. Kira

 

yeah, it turned out the problem was actually the alternator. according to our volvo mechanic, the p/s pump hardly ever goes. the alt. is a very expensive part. $400 bucks!

 

I have a whine is my steering also. I can hear it more when i'm idling. I hear it when I turn the steering left to right. I can explain the noise fully but it's like a pitch that gets louder as i turn the steering.

The steering fluid is still the same so no leak there. WOndering if it might be the alternator too since i had a used one put in the car.