So about a week ago, I starting hearing a weak grinding noise, almost like a whine, coming from around the power steering pulley on my 3.0. I've tried replacing the hose clamp on the power steering hose as posted in other threads, and I tried putting silicone grease on the back of the pulley to try and lubricate it, still no joy. The timing belt is great, it was replaced at 55k miles (I'm at 71k now) and the dealer replaced the water pump and thermostat and tensioner at the same time. The noise is really only audible at idle, and once i apply the gas it goes away. I'm hoping it's not the bearings in the power steering pump, but maybe you guys on this forum may be able to figure it out.


2002 a4 3.0 whining noise: