Our 2005 TL auto has made a groan/whine noise when turning the steering wheel. This may not be the same fix as the o-ring replacement. This noise is after the car has been driven for a while, not cold at cold start as described with the o-ring fix.
It has been cold here, 30s to 40s but seems odd that the noise starts after the car should be warm.

Suggestions??

 

is the fluid bubbly?

 

Could possibly be the drive belt tensioner.

 

That's actually how my "o-ring problem" started, during the last leg of an 800 mile road trip I started to hear that groaning noise when I turned. Try a new o-ring, it's only $0.67, and it will most likely fix your problem.

 

I had the tensioner replaced a few thousand miles ago. That was noisy all the time. Not had a chance to check the fluid yet.
I will be getting the o-ring tomorrow and trying that this weekend.
Thanks for the replies.

 

what's a drive belt tensioner?

 

^it's one of the pulleys where the serpentine belt is. if that's bad, you'll hear a groaning/creaking sound coming from that area if you turn the steering wheel. you can diagnose it by putting the car in park, raising the hood and just twisting the steering wheel while the car is on.

 

Try the O-ring if not, then is has to be the Belt. If not any of those then maybe it's the Pump itself!

 

I finally did the o-ring change. This seems to have corrected the problem. As long as the wife says its quiet, I'm good. I do need to flush the p/s fluid now as it is rather dark.

Thanks for the help and info. This is a great resource.

 

Glad you got it worked out and the wife is happy!

 

Glad you got it fixed. Have you taken it in for the Feeder Hose Recall? That way you'll get plenty of new fluid and a new feeder hose for free

I got lucky and they threw in a free pump while they were at it!