PAS making a grinding noise when turning

[elaverick]

Hi all,
Went to use the car this morning and when turning to leave my parking space had a terrible grinding noise when turning the wheel. Sounds like the noise you get when you don't full engage a gear and try to pull away. There's also no comforting hiss from the hydraulics. I'm not in front of the car at the moment, but if anyone can offer any suggestions of likely causes and the best way for a mechanical idiot to check these, I'd be most grateful.

Thanks

Edward

[elaverick]

The dreadful noise turned out to be the pump running dry. One if the metal hoses had rusted through and sprung a pin hole leak which was apparently spraying all over the back of the alternator (not the best place for it). Got a replacement part for SJ and my local mechanic fitted it, so it’s all back up and running.

[cliff]

Good news, those pipes are not fun to fit.