Steering wheel noise

[nans_grandprix]

The steering wheel in my 2002 grand prix se makes a squeeling noise everytime i turn the wheel (going around a corner, etc . . .) It has been like this ever since i bought the car back in August. Today we pumped the old fluid out filling it up with new fluid and turned out the wheel back and forth several times and we did that 3-4 times. After each time the squeeling noise would get quieter but not completly go away. I thought that I could get used to listening to that everytime I went around a corner but finally decided to do something about it. So I was wondering if anyone out there has had this same issue or if anyone can help by giving me advice on how to fix this.

~Thanks guys~

[tblake]

Its rack and pinion noise, a real high pitched whine. Like she said, we sucked all the fluid from the resivior filled it with new clean fluid, and started it up and turned the wheels left and right a few times. We did this process over and over again, but the noise never completly went away, and even after a whole quart or new powersteering fluid, the color nover got any clearer. Should we keep doing this untill its nice and clear? I hate using additives, but do you guys recommend any that will quiet the rack and pinion? Thanks!!!!

[GT3800 Guy]

You guys may have air bubbles trapped inside the lines or a blockage. Try removing all the old oil once more, add to the fill line with new. Start the car and rev to ~2000rpm while turning the whells full stroke back and forth. Then turn the car off again and topup if the level had gone down any. Try that, however if you have any leaks then you have to address those first.

Regards,

GT3800 Guy

[tblake]

no leaks at all. could be a restricted line, but i dont understand how or why, and that process is pretty much exactly what we have been doing, but we can try it again.

[pontiac_babe]

Originally Posted by tblake

no leaks at all. could be a restricted line, but i dont understand how or why, and that process is pretty much exactly what we have been doing, but we can try it again.

Check out the Serpintine belt, It may just be that when you bought it, they put a size too small or they put the tensioner too tight, other than that, I have no clue. Good Luck!!!

[tblake]

thats an interesting thought., but the belt on the 3.1 has an automatic tensioner and requires no adjustment. I did look at it, and it seems alright.

[je2345]

i had a situation similar to that on my 99 grand Prix GT, and it turned out to be my starter that had to be replaced! Now it sounds perfect! Seems wierd that it would be the starter but my mechanic thought that it was the wheel bearing at first but guaranteed me that it was the starter.(this ticking noise only occured when turning AND accelerating the gas). The whining noise I had before was just when i turned and it was my power steering hose!

[tblake]

I dont get it? She's got a high pitched whine ony what she turns the steering wheel. Standing still in park, or in drive regardless. Its not a ticking sound. How could this be a starter? The car starts perfectly, the starter disengages fine and doesn't drag. Maybe your mechanic took you for a run???? Maybe your starter belt was just a little loose and needed to be re-tensioned.

[je2345]

it wasnt the starter that was the reason for the whining noise, it was my power steering hose! The starter was something else...when I turned right and accelerated it would make a very loud ticking noise!