Hi , need a little guidance please..
for ages my 2003 TD5 defender 90 has been making a strange noise when turning. I notice it at low speeds and it sounds like an electric 'whine'. It didn't really bother me and the steering seems ok. However the other day i was turning out of a junction and i thought i heard an old steam train whistle by! It turns out that new noise was from the steering since it seems to happen at low speed, when close to full lock. I think maybe its related to the other 'whine' i was noticing.

Any thoughts on what it may be ?
cheers
stu

Not sure on the Td5, but on my 300Tdi you can hear the fluid in the power steering pump when it's on full lock. Perhaps a pressure release/bypass system for when it's getting to full lock.

Not sure how long you had it on full lock? but rough rule of thumb is 10 seconds maximum as you can boil the fluid.

If its got to 'steam train' imitations worth checking the steering fluid level, as it might be drawing air into the system. Mine has inevitable drop arm seal seep, and eventually drops if I forget to check. New box one day........ Def don't hold it on full lock, noise is just a sign of the max pressure its under and can blow the seal etc. Cheers, A