Grinding noise from steering/braking

[Moigy]

Hi, I purchased a 92 530i M60 with 120,000 about 8 months ago. Great motor and absolute bargain... until about 3 weeks ago it started making a slight grinding noise when I turned the steering tightly.
I took it to a garage and the mechy told me it was the water pump bearing. I questioned this and he assured me that the strain from the power steering pump on the belt to the water pump was causing the noise. I replaced the water pump and thought it was sorted as the old bearing was shot. Unfortunately it was still making the noise!!! It has gotten so bad now that the grinding noise is happening whenever I turn the steering wheel and even when braking???
I was thinking power steering pump but why would the grinding get worse by applying the brakes?
Any help appreciated

[Jay 535i]

I was thinking power steering pump but why would the grinding get worse by applying the brakes?

Maybe being on the brakes loads up the steering system, increasing the effort required of the pump?

Just a guess.

[Moigy]

I've heard the steering pumps a hell of job and expensive, is this true?

[angrypancake]

does it happen when you turn the wheel a specific way, and not the other way?

[Moigy]

It doesn't matter which way I turn it. You can hear something whining nearly all the time now.

[Jay 535i]

It doesn't matter which way I turn it. You can hear something whining nearly all the time now.

I had that problem for a while. Turned out to be my wife.

[DaCan23]

LOL...


I had that problem for a while. Turned out to be my wife.

[dacoyote]

I had that problem for a while. Turned out to be my wife.

Nice

[marckula]

check your power steering fluid level. if it's low you need to add some. if the fluid looks foamy, drain it and refill it with the right type of fluid. i get a growling every 3-4 months or so and often find that my ps fluid is low or foamy. not sure how it gets so foamy.

[Moigy]

Checked the fluid level - took almost a whole litre!!! Working perfect now. Feel like an idiot for not checking that first!!!
Thanks for the help guys.

[dacoyote]

Checked the fluid level - took almost a whole litre!!! Working perfect now. Feel like an idiot for not checking that first!!!
Thanks for the help guys.

Did you use the right fluid?

[Moigy]

Went into local halfords store, they had a book which listed the required type of fluid so I went with that. "halfords automatic transmission and power steering fluid DIII, General Motors GM-6417M" Is this ok???