groaning noise when steering wheel is rotated

2002 regal LS 3800 V6

steering makes a groaning sound in either direction, even when not moving.

ps: looks like a bitch to access the pump

John
Upstate NY

Well, the first thing you want to do, is check the fluid level........if ok, then leave the cap off, and have someone start the car and turn the wheel side to side......if you see a lot of air in the fluid, you have a leak somewhere and air is getting into the system, causing this noise.....could be the pump, lines(especially at the crimps), or the seals on the rack(the bellows on the ends of the rack will be filled with fluid).....

If you have to replace the pump, remove the metal line first, then the rubber return line....serp belt.....then just two bolts......get a replacement pump with a pulley....otherwise you will have to rent/buy a pulley remover to transfer the old one to the new one....

Well, the first thing you want to do, is check the fluid level........if ok, then leave the cap off, and have someone start the car and turn the wheel side to side......if you see a lot of air in the fluid, you have a leak somewhere and air is getting into the system, causing this noise.....could be the pump, lines(especially at the crimps), or the seals on the rack(the bellows on the ends of the rack will be filled with fluid).....

If you have to replace the pump, remove the metal line first, then the rubber return line....serp belt.....then just two bolts......get a replacement pump with a pulley....otherwise you will have to rent/buy a pulley remover to transfer the old one to the new one....
my next question is which side of the engine is the reservoir located. Some say firewall-side, some say radiator side. it is a Regal LS with the 3800 power plant.

The power steering pump resivoir is on the power steering pump.

The cap with the level indicator under neath it, is screwed into the reservoir....the reservoir is that black plastic tank on top of the pump....

ops, sorry....i know the reservoir is on the pump. which side, firewall or radiator, is the pump mounted?

Not being a sm**tass. But have you popped the hood and looked? Most owners manuals shows a diagram/picture of the motor and common maintenance things that the owner can do himself. Power steering pump is driven by the belt. Look around the belt area and what it is driving.

Alee, you might be onto something....