NOISE FROM ENGINE BAY. STEERING PUMP ?

[chester.xiii]

Hi, I've got a noise coming come somewhere in the engine bay on my 150 tdi, I only really notice it at tickover but it's getting progressively worse. The last few days I've noticed that the steering is getting stiffer when manovering ie reversing around a tight corner and if I try moving the wheel at tickover it's very stiff when the car is started from cold. If this means a new pump, is it a straight forward diy with ramps or better off going to a garage, also any idea of possible cost if this is the case. It's got 225/40/17's on for maybe the last 4 years and obviously the wider tyres put a bigger strain on the mechanicals etc.
   Cheers chester.xiii

[Steve_PD]

pretty easy to change, IIRC clamp the inlet and outlet PAS pipes, take the tension off the belt then undo 3 bolts to remove. refit in reverse.
I got a reconditioned one for £100 ish (VW wanted £300++ )
what sort of noise is it making? have you checked the fluid level?

[chester.xiii]

Stupidly enough, I hav'nt checked it yet as everytime I think about it it's pi**ing down or snowing or -5c and blowing a gale,I'll have a look in the morning before work, but £100 recond doesn't sound bad. The noise first sounded like something loose so I though it maybe  a heat shield but a few days later it started to sound a bit like a gurgling noise.

[chester.xiii]

Just an up date to this thread, it was my steering pump but when the pump came off it turns out that the was alot of play in the pulley off the engine causing vibration. I've been told that this is quite common as there are rubber bushes on them More money leaving a very good home!
Also, I've found that there is excessive wear on the tread on the inside of the front tyres, but they passed an mot at the start of January and I've only done about £600 miles since