Straining Sound When Turning My Steering Wheel?

[GrayGhost]

The title says it all. When I turn the steering wheel of my 2003 Honda Odyssey far to one side and start to accelerate, I hear a straining sound, like metal sliding past metal without lubricant. It's not a grinding or grating sound, and it's failry quiet, and I don't feel any feedback from the van that makes me think something is seriously wrong. It's just a high pitched sort of squeal.

I thought it might be that the power steering fluid needs to be topped off, but I just checked, and that's at optimal levels. That the sound only happens at extreme angles of turning makes me entirely unsure of what's up. I'm no automotive expert at all, so could anyone give me some pointers as to what may be going on here?

Thanks!

[kendallf]

Almost certainly power steering pump related.  The noise is usually fluid cavitation, and often happens when the fluid is low.  If the fluid was previously low, you will often have to bleed air from the lines by turning the wheel lock to lock a number of times.  If the pump is going out or there is a leak in the system somewhere, you may have a whine with the fluid topped off. 

[GrayGhost]

So should my action plan be to move the wheel from lock to lock a bunch of times, and if that doesn't work, drain the current fluid and refill with new fluid, and if that doesn't work, consider replacing the pump itself? I doubt that there's a leak, because the fluid level is still very high and I don't think it was refilled anytime recently.

[surfhb]

Its your CV joints.....i'd be willing to bet

Take it to a mechanic :)

[kendallf]

The description didn't sound like CV joints to me, which usually make a distinctive 'clicking' noise when they're worn.  Just in case, though, does it make the noise while stationary and turning the wheel lock to lock?  That will usually make power steering noises louder, as the load is higher.  If it only makes noise when moving, and it's more of a grinding or clicking noise, it could be CV joints or wheel bearings.

[CowboyAndIndian]

I have an Odyssey and I don't think it is the CV joint or the steering pump.

Odyssey has a thin plastic covering of the wheel well. This breaks out and touches the tire.

I just ripped it out instead of getting new (I have a 2000 Odyssey with 175k miles).

If this is the case, nothing to worry about.

[GrayGhost]

I just tried turning the wheel to maximum left, then maximum right. Then I parked my van, turning as much as I could while I applied some gas. The sound is still there. I definitely wouldn't call it a grinding or a clicking sound, but it doesn't sound like plastic rubbing against the tire either. It's pretty soft and faint, so I'm not sure.

It didn't make any noise when the vehicle was stationary.

[kendallf]

This is like playing doctor over the phone.. with less down side, of course.

If there's no noise when cranking the steering while stationary, it's probably not power steering pump related.  Could be something rubbing, could be front wheel bearings, more possibilities in decreasing likelihood from there.  It may be time to let somebody with mechanical experience listen to it.

[big_owl]

On my WRX I encountered a very similar thing.  I was overdue to replace the power steering pump belt that also runs the alternator.  10 minute job and the noise was gone.  So check and see the condition of your belts, it could be as easy as that.

[Greg]

Check the wheel well covers like has been mentioned, but also the p/s belt.  You may have one serpentine belt that drives all the accessories, so it would be good for all the other accessory belt users as well.  I recently helped an acquaintance with her car, it had a chirping belt or tensioner that one shop quoted several hundred to fix.  A $20 belt fixed it.

[BooksAreNerdy]

My first thought was CV joint half shaft. Big O tires will check it out for free. Replacing both on my Hyundai was about $200 and took DH about 6 hours, including having to use a sawzall to remove a frozen bolt and then drive to the auto store to buy a replacement.

[guitar_stitch]

Any chance that your front brake pads are approaching end of life?  Many pads have a metal tab that touches the rotor when the pad wears down to alert the driver.

[skunkfunk]

I wouldn't be terribly concerned yet. Check the fluid, make sure the belt has proper tension. Many of those old pumps will limp along for years and years to come.

[BlueMR2]

Temperature related?  Mine starts whining in single digits (F) and screams bloody murder when we get into the negative teens (F).  Been doing that for the last decade or so.  :-)