'groan' noise from steering

I hear a 'groaning' type of sound when turning the steering wheel back and forth especially when first starting out. If I had to make an educated guess I would say rack or pump, but I'm not sure. I think I'll disconnect the tie rods from the steering knuckles this weekend and make sure the wheels turn from left to right without binding. Any one else seen or heard this? Grand Ams had a problem somewhat like this and there was a power steering hose that was the culprit.

It's a 2002 with 56k miles, and well maintained.

this is the GM procedure to make sure it's not a shaft problem that you "fixed" before. I think bearings were falling out of some (very few + rare) of the gear units also.

Diagnostic Tip:

Important: This condition is commonly misdiagnosed as originating in the steering gear and has resulted in the replacement of numerous steering gears without correcting the concern.
Engineering Investigation shows that numerous steering gears have been misdiagnosed and replaced. The investigations shows that if the technician incorrectly diagnoses the steering gear as the cause of the noise and/or clunk during replacement of the steering gear, the technician may stroke and/or cycle the I-shaft, distributing the original grease in the I-shaft. This distribution of the original I-shaft grease temporarily may eliminate the I-shaft clunk so that the technician believes the noise and/or clunk is corrected with the steering gear replacement and returns the vehicle to the customer. After the customer drives the vehicles for several miles and dissipates the original grease, the noise may return.

Attempt to duplicate the customer's concern and isolate the I-shaft by following the procedure below:

1. Locate a large area (parking lot) where the vehicle can be turned in a tight circle.
2. Turn the steering wheel to the right and/or left all the way to the steering lock, then off the steering lock a 1/4 turn.
3. Drive the vehicle approximately 5 km/h (3 mph) in a circle, preferably over rough pavement or seams on the road surface.
4. If a clunk is felt in the steering wheel, the MOST likely cause is the I-shaft - not the steering gear. Continue with the correction.

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=459068&highlight=bearings

It's definitely not the same type of sound.

Mine does a similar thing sometimes, only when the car is idling. Also, there is a noise from what seems to be the p/s pump when I am sitting still. When I turn the wheel, that noise goes away. When I stop moving the wheel, it comes back. It sounds like the sound of fluid flowing through a hose, but louder than it should be.

I talked to a tech at the Dodge dealer today (he used to work accross the street at the GM dealer), and he told me that some of the cars had a problem with the power steering high pressure hose. Possibly a restriction or something that can cause a problem.

I was wondering if Panzer or someone with AllData access could search for tech bulletins on the Intrigue that may involve replacing the power steering high pressure hose.

Thanks