Power Steering woes

[eric (^__^)]

I felt like this was coming. My car has had very little maintenance in its life, and I've started in the past six months to park in odd places (hills, etc)

In the past few days my power steering has been making noise. This should not happen. It sounds like a Ford Explorer when the steering is close to lock in either direction. Is this just low PS fluid?

Please say yes because I have to drive to Portland tonight.

[jlevie]

Have you checked the fluid level?

[LovableSheep]

Definitely check the fluid level and fill it up if it's low ASAP. I've heard it will destroy your PS pump if it's low to the point of making noise when turning.

Of course it could be some other issue too, but it sounds like what mine was doing when the fluid was low.

[ethree]

You don't really need power steering to drive to portland do you?

[Jall]

When I first got my car, the steering made horrible groaning in any sort of slightly low speed manoeuvre. Finally got the cap off the PS reservoir and found that there was only a tiny puddle of fluid at the bottom.

I think this might have damaged my pump a bit as it still groans a little when I hold it on full lock, but nothing even close to how it was.