Signs Your Skoda Fabia Steering Pump Is Failing

A steering pump is one of the hardest working components on your car. It’s designed to work for long periods of time without any problems, but as with anything on your car, there are warning signs that can indicate failure.

Table of Contents

Whining or Groaning on Full Lock

A failing steering pump can produce a number of symptoms before it completely fails. A common early indication of a failing steering pump is a high pitched whine or low grind noise when turning a locked wheel slowly. This sound is usually at its most pronounced when maneuvering in and out of parking spaces slowly.

Heavy or Slow-Responding Steering

If your car requires more effort to turn the steering wheel, especially when driving at low speed, then your power steering pump may not be functioning as it should. The pump is responsible for generating sufficient hydraulic pressure to assist with the steering. As the pump wears, the pressure generated will decrease and thus require more effort to turn the wheel. This increase in effort required to turn the steering wheel can develop gradually over time and therefore may require comparison to the car’s previous performance.

Assistance That Cuts In and Out

Intermittent loss of power steering where the vehicle periodically loses power steering and then returns to normal is another symptom of a failing steering pump. This type of condition can be very unsafe as it requires the driver to suddenly and unexpectedly return to manual steering in traffic, increasing the risk of a loss of control.

Fluid Leak or Low Fluid Level

The steering pump of your Skoda Fabia is a hydraulic component which needs clean hydraulic fluid at the correct level to function. If there is a leak, it can leak from the pump itself or from the hoses. A puddle of pale or pinkish fluid under the front of your car indicates a leak of the steering fluid. Also, if the fluid reservoir keeps running low, there is a leak somewhere.

Judder Through the Steering Wheel

A vibration or judder when you are turning can also be a sign of a failing steering pump. The vibration is usually worse when the engine is cold.

Burning Smell from the Engine Bay

A burning smell that has a sharp, slightly sweet smell, could indicate that there is a leak of power steering fluid. This could be leaking onto hot engine components. You should check the steering pump and hoses as soon as possible for any signs of leakage before the problem causes any further damage.

If several of the above mentioned symptoms are apparent at the same time it is highly recommended to have your steering pump inspected and repaired as soon as possible. Otherwise the repair can become much more expensive in the long run.