Power steering whine on cold start
 

Hi folks,

I'm getting a classic power steering whine when the engine is cold (increases in intensity with wheels turning). It goes away after the engine warms up.

Is there a common point of failure/leak in the system? or is this pretty much a power steering pump on its way out? How bad is the power steering pump job?

Thanks!

Have you checked the fluid level???

Check the level as blue62 says. If it is low, you need to find where the fluid is going. On my '02, the steering rack blew out a seal and it made the noises you described. In my case, it leaked the fluid out very rapidly. If it's been making the noise for a while, it may just need a seal replaced.

I replaced the rack (not a fun job) and it solved the problem. I had also bought a junkyard pump in case the pump had been damaged, but I was fortunate that it was fine. If you need the pump and the seals for the lines, let me know.