Steering making weird sounds?

[xcohiba]

My car: 2001 Pontiac Firebird V6 3.8L, stock.

When I rotate the steering wheel all the way to the sides, either be it right or left, it makes this weird noise and the car kind of shakes. What could be this?

I told my dad and he said thats normal but I just tried it on my mom's car (06' Trailblazer) and it doesnt make any sounds but the car is new so I dont know.

Thanks.

[SG007]

Check your power steering fluid,

[ikeyballz]

weird noise as in a loud screeching right? yeah, what he said steering fluid

[xcohiba]

Checked.

Smells kind of burnt and has a blackish look. I am going to poor some in a paper towel and take a picture tomorrow so you all can see.

How do you change this? Just drain the old one and put new liquid in? Is there any damage done for having this liquid left like this? (I bought car used like a few weeks ago).

Thanks.

[Morley]

The best way to change/flush the fluid is to remove the return line from the pump and plug the little stub tube it hooked to. Get a gallon jug and put the hose in it. have a gallon of P/S fluid and funnel ready to go. have someone start the car and slowly rotate the steering wheel back and forth while you keep the reservoir full. Once the fluid coming from the return line is clean looking, stop the car, reconncet the return line, refill the reservoir, restart the car and rotate the wheel a few times and top off fluid as needed.

[ikeyballz]

hm.. mine is damn dirty too.. where is the return line?