Agreed with Randall. Vertex auto has rebuilts and just ball joints (for the already rebuilt arms) that will save a little $.

http://www.****************************************.com/SubCategory/Steering%20and%20Suspension/Control%20Arms%20and%20Related%20Parts.aspx

A solution, hopefully -

I put the car on ramps and investigated more closely where the sound comes from. It seemed to come from near the top of the struts. There is a rubber "bearing" there. I sprayed that bearing with teflon silicone lubricant from above and below. The sound is gone for now :)

Time will tell how well this fix worked...

To add my tuppence/knowledge, if it helps at all;

When the fluid is low due to age/leaks/whatever reason, not only does the steering get affected slightly, but the pump itself gets damaged - this is because the power steering fluid is actually lubricating the pump as well as working the steering.

When fluid runs low, the pump *will* get damaged to some extent - so if you know you have low liquid, STOP driving immediately, and fix/top-up. I know a guy who thought he would just have a difficult to steer car whilst he got home, and drove 5 miles or so and completely knackered the pump.

One way to check for power steering pump damage is to start the car, and turn the wheel to full lock and hold it there. If you get the groan, it's damaged. *However*, providing you fix the leak/top-up, you can keep a partially damaged pump going for years/ever. As long as you can live with the sound!

If I had an old Ford with the noise, I'd just ignore it, but not sure I would be able to with a porker :D

Where is the power steering reservoir on our cars? And what are you filling it with? I have this same issue on my 02. Lower speeds in a turn like pulling into a parking spot I'll hear a low groan from what seems to be my front left wheel. I just recently had my sway bar links replaced (which had gone bad) and thought that would have fixed the issue.

Also needing an answer to above questions ...

It's under the engine top cover, at the very top/front of the engine on my 987 . Pentosin fluid, though there may be a suitable replacement. I must have a small leak I can't find, mine was slightly low, causing a noise while turning and accelerating.

Pentosin is required just like RollsRoyces. There is a small & excessively short vent hose attached at the filler neck of the P/S fluid reservoir. The pump gets hot enough to lose fluid out this vent & deposit on top of the engine for eternity. This requires checking the fluid level often & installing a longer vent hose if you want to avoid pump problems & a oily, sticky mess ontop of your engine. While you are there suck out as much old Pentosin as you can & replace with new.

I have a funky sound sometimes in the left wheel area that eventually disappears as the car warms. I was told it is somehow related to the driver's air bag.

Thanks Pro, I'll have to look into a longer vent hose. I suspected something like that, because it is oily around the cap.

Power steering noise
 

I have the same grinding/groaning noise coming from the front of my car when I turn the wheel. How can I tell if its the pump or the rack? If its a bad pump, why is the noise coming from the front of the car?