Q: I have an Audi A6 4.2 V8. When its cold (1st start in the morning) i get a grating noise when i move the steering wheel. Would this be the Power steering pump? I checked the fluid level and its still on the max mark. Never had to top it up.
A: I had a similar problem with my 3.0 A6. It made this really nasty buzzing noise, and when I turned the wheel it got louder. It turns out that my power steering fluid level was very low. Adding more fixed the problem. It also turned out that my coolant level was low too, so I added more. Since you mentioned that your PS fluid level is max, the grating noise IS the power steering pump. However, in the cold weather, this is normal. Even in warm weather, you can hear the pump when you turn the wheel all the way to the right or left. It whines like that due to the stress put onto it from turning the wheel so much, or because of the cold. I would not worry about it, my PS pump does the same after cold starts.
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