power steering noise

[3racer]

my 2002 grand caravan is making a god awful groaning noise when you turn the steering wheel and sometimes sounds as if its low on p/s fluid, the fluid level is normal, and i have noticed the colder it gets outside the worse it seems to get. HELP!!!

[GTP Dad]

You may have a problem with the rack and pinion unit on the van rather than the pump. If the fluid is normal and you still hear the noise then the rack is the next place to look. It could be a seal leaking through or it is damaged internally. Try a bottle of lucal power steering fluid additive. It may cure the problem at least temporarily.

[B33p3r]

I know the 2001s have a TSB out on them. The problem was with the power steering fluid resivour???the thing that holds the fluid !! How do you spell that? If you have a warranty on your vehicle, it's a good bet if you go to the dealer and complain, they will cover it under warranty.
Mine does the same thing (2001) but I'm not under warranty so I'll be doing it myself. It's usually not too bad in warm weather, but once it gets cold, it screams on startup and moans during steering maneuvers. More so when moving slow and the wheels have a harder time turning.

[3racer]

thanks for the replies, do you know what the problem with the p/s resevior is? ive heard everything from a rack problem to the location of the p/s lines. the local dealer said they could fix it for a SMALL fee but i hate to pay a fortune for something i could fix myself. thanks again for the help!

[B33p3r]

I don't know what the problem was with it. If you rather change it yourself, here's the procedure I pulled off the TSB:

1. Wipe the power steering cap and area free of dirt. Remove the power steering cap.

2. Use a siphon pump to remove as much fluid as possible from the power steering fluid reservoir.

3. With a helper in the vehicle, raise the vehicle on an appropriate hoist.

WARNING :POWER STEERING FLUID, ENGINE PARTS, AND THE EXHAUST SYSTEM MAY BE EXTREMELY HOT IF THE ENGINE HAS BEEN RUNNING. DO NOT START ENGINE WITH ANY LOOSE OR DISCONNECTED HOSES. DO NOT ALLOW HOSES OR POWER STEERING FLUID TO TOUCH HOT EXHAUST MANIFOLD OR CATALYST.

4. Locate the power steering cooler attached to the crossmember support plate. Slide back the clamp and disconnect one of the two power steering return hoses at the power steering oil cooler and drain fluid in an appropriate container.

5. Have the helper turn the steering wheel back and forth quickly several times to force as much fluid as possible from the steering gear.

6. Reconnect the hose at the oil cooler using the original clamp.

7. Lower vehicle so the vehicle tires are not contacting the ground.

8. Remove and replace the power steering reservoir (p/n 04743012AA) using the procedure outlined in the 2002 Service Manual or the MDS2, Section 19, Steering, Pump, Reservoir - Power Steering Fluid.

9. For proper fluid fill and bleeding air from the power steering system:

a. Fill the power steering reservoir to the top of the fill range using Mopar power steering fluid (ATF+4) p/n 05013458AA.

b. With the engine OFF and the vehicles tires off the ground, slowly turn the steering wheel back and forth (lock to lock) slowly 20 times to force fluid into the steering gear.

c. Fill the power steering reservoir to the top of the fill range.

d. Start engine and let run for a few seconds, then turn oft engine.

e. Check fluid level and add if necessary.

f. Start engine, and slowly turn the steering wheel lightly contacting the left and right stops.

g. Stop the engine and check fluid level. Add fluid if necessary.

h. Lower vehicle, start engine and slowly turn steering wheel lock-to-lock.

I. Stop engine and check fluid level. Add fluid if necessary.

j. If fluid is extremely foamy, allow vehicle to stabilize a few minutes, then repeat steps "i" and "j" until the fluid level remains constant after running the engine and turning the steering wheel from lock to lock.

10. Inform the vehicle owner/operator that a steering vibration may be noted for a few hundred miles until the air is completely removed from the steering system.

[3racer]

thanks, looks like the next rainy/snowy day ill fire up the heat out in the garage and tackle the dang thing. my wife says if i dont get it fixed shes gonna go trade it in on a ford windstar. arrgh!!

[B33p3r]

Let me know what the dealer wacks you for the new and improved reservoir. Piss and moan about them wanting to charge you when there is a TSB out on it. Who knows maybe they'll say pull it in.

[johnhouser]

Did that fix the problem? I have the same problem with my 2001 Dodge GC. When we are idling and we turn the wheel (without moving), the noise is just so much worse. A loud humming or grumbling sound... The dealer just told me there is a TSB, but it is for a new hose (I haven't made the connecition on how a hose helps the noise yet).

[RahX]

they say its the resivoir and the return line. i work at a dealership and trust me, neither of thsoe fixes work at all. the return line has a restriction built into it and the one they have you replace it with isnt really any better. the best thing ive found to do is use a power steering fluid instead of atf. at the shop we use BG fluid and it seems to do a lot better. it does make the steering a bit stiffer tho.

[johnhouser]

Great! I will ask my local CarQuest/Napa dealer for "BG power steering Fluid".

[MStarr13]

If this does not fix it, my 05 started making a horrid whining noise (I thought it was the transmission at first). It seemed to make it loudest when the vehicle was cold (<60 degrees). I hasd the dealership look at it. They replaced the power steering fluid return hose and the noise went away. The service manager says he has no idea why that works but he has fixed it on many vehicles lately.

[johnhouser]

My wife just picked up our van (I am too slow). The noise is gone for us too. They replaced some hose (and must be the fluid) and it is just like new. Although it is $100 later... Seems like Dodge should foot the bill if so many people have the same exact problem.... Oh well, Thanks for the help !

[MStarr13]

Well I would say you have a case with Dodge on that. Don;t know how successful you would be but, at least at our dealership they have replaced that "a mess of times." according to the Service manager.

[MStarr13]

Yet another warning for you guys on this fix. The noise on my vehicle came back with a vengence the other day and the power steering started to fail altogether. Turns out now our "steering rack" is leaking fluid like crazy. They had to special order the part from Dodge and it is on a "major national backlog". The dealership I deal with has 3 on order (including mine) themselves. I smell a potential recall in the mix here. Anyway, I don't know if the previous fix caused this new issue or not, it would not seem that they could however, keep you eyes open for any steering fluid puddles under your vehicle and watch the fluid levels, especially if it makes that noise. It emptied my reservoir in less than 10 miles.