Steering whining/grinding sound

nashbaseball24

nashbaseball24

New Member
Original poster
Joined
Mar 9, 2025
Messages
6
Location
St. Petersburg
Hey just joined the community and just bought my first jeep a 2003 Sahara. I haven't done much work on vehicles in the past but with this purchase I told myself I want to try to do as much as the work as possible. So here we go the first problem. Just started the other day and it only happened after about driving for about 30 minutes. When turning slowly it was a whining/grinding sound. Took it for a ride today and it was fine at first but again after some time it started again. Is this power steering related? Is the power steering pump going bad? Could it be a pulley or the belt? Any help would be appreciated.

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How about your tensioning and idler pulleys and belt.

If nothing else pull the belt and feel how the power steering pump turns. Smooth like creamy peanut butter is good... crunchy peanut butter is bad.

-Mac
 
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macleanflood said:
How about your tensioning and idler pulleys and belt.

If nothing else pull the belt and feel how the power steering pump turns. Smooth like creamy peanut butter is good... crunchy peanut butter is bad.

-Mac
Click to expand...

I will look into this tomorrow.. Also I got a P0456 and p0442 both small evap leaks a couple days ago. But I am assuming they are unrelated
 
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Hey are the tires too big? Just bought it not sure if it has a lift already. Do I need to measure to see if it is lifted? Looking to downsize the tires to an AT .. Could these mud tires be the cause of my problem?

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Whining or grinding...two completely different sounds.

The tires are not the problem. The noise would be there from start up.

The most likely candidate is the pump. Does the steering get a little harder to turn when this noise happens?
 
When the noise starts; lift the hood and listen while someone assists you in cycling the steering wheel to locate the noise.
Using a long screw driver (or equivalent item) place the screw driver on the power steering pump and listen to the handle end to determine if the noise is being transmitted by the power steering pump bearings OR to rule out the power steering pump as the source.

Side note.... Unless some oil was spilled while adding oil to the engine; there is dampness that looks like your valve cover gasket is seeping and should be replaced.
 
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