Olds Intrigue 3800 noise -- steering rack?

[blowout preventer]

1998 Olds Intrigue 3800 makes a noise when steering wheel is turned more
than a few degrees, a very low-frequency rumble, actually the best way
to describe it is like a sub-woofer emitting a REALLY low freq noise.
I am inclined to think it's the belt slipping or scooting as the wheel
is turned and the power steering system is taxed.
It makes the noise when the a/c is off and not much taxing the
alternator. The serpentine belt looks fine, no cracks and appears
clean.
Is it likely to be the power steering, since it does it upon turning,
and if so, is it the pump or the steering rack?

[Ed Pawlowski]

Post by blowout preventer
1998 Olds Intrigue 3800 makes a noise when steering wheel is turned more
than a few degrees, a very low-frequency rumble, actually the best way
to describe it is like a sub-woofer emitting a REALLY low freq noise.
I am inclined to think it's the belt slipping or scooting as the wheel
is turned and the power steering system is taxed.
It makes the noise when the a/c is off and not much taxing the
alternator. The serpentine belt looks fine, no cracks and appears
clean.
Is it likely to be the power steering, since it does it upon turning,
and if so, is it the pump or the steering rack?

Does this happen only when the car is moving, or does it happen when
sitting still and you turn the wheel?

[blowout preventer]

BP wrote: "1998 Olds Intrigue 3800 makes a noise when steering wheel is
turned more than a few degrees, a very low-frequency rumble, actually
the best way to describe it is like a sub-woofer emitting a REALLY low
freq noise.
I am inclined to think it's the belt slipping or scooting as the wheel
is turned and the power steering system is taxed. It makes the noise
when the a/c is off and not much taxing the alternator. The serpentine
belt looks fine, no cracks and appears clean.
Is it likely to be the power steering, since it does it upon turning,
and if so, is it the pump or the steering rack?"

**************************************

Ed wrote: "Does this happen only when the car is moving, or does it
happen when sitting still and you turn the wheel? "

************************************

Both -- the car does it when sitting still, but also while moving.
For example, while pulling up to drop someone off in the parking lot
last night, I made about a 45 degree turn while still going probably 10
mph, and it made the noise described above. I was just returning from
about a 30 mile trip.
While it's making the noise, I THINK I detect a slight difference in
the effort required to turn the steering wheel.
I haven't noticed it making a difference if it's full operating temp
or when I first start it up. It seems to do it pretty much any time I
rotate the steering wheel any "appreciable" amount -- i.e. if I had my
hand on the steering wheel at the 12 o'clock position, and rotated the
wheel to where my hand was now at 10 o'clock.

[Vic Smith]

Post by blowout preventer
BP wrote: "1998 Olds Intrigue 3800 makes a noise when steering wheel is
turned more than a few degrees, a very low-frequency rumble, actually
the best way to describe it is like a sub-woofer emitting a REALLY low
freq noise.
I am inclined to think it's the belt slipping or scooting as the wheel
is turned and the power steering system is taxed. It makes the noise
when the a/c is off and not much taxing the alternator. The serpentine
belt looks fine, no cracks and appears clean.
Is it likely to be the power steering, since it does it upon turning,
and if so, is it the pump or the steering rack?"
**************************************
Ed wrote: "Does this happen only when the car is moving, or does it
happen when sitting still and you turn the wheel? "
************************************
Both -- the car does it when sitting still, but also while moving.
For example, while pulling up to drop someone off in the parking lot
last night, I made about a 45 degree turn while still going probably 10
mph, and it made the noise described above. I was just returning from
about a 30 mile trip.
While it's making the noise, I THINK I detect a slight difference in
the effort required to turn the steering wheel.
I haven't noticed it making a difference if it's full operating temp
or when I first start it up. It seems to do it pretty much any time I
rotate the steering wheel any "appreciable" amount -- i.e. if I had my
hand on the steering wheel at the 12 o'clock position, and rotated the
wheel to where my hand was now at 10 o'clock.

Unless the rack is known to commonly fail, like some in the late '80's
(my '88 Celebrity was one) it's probably the pump. They can make all
kinds of noises, including groaning. My '93 Grand Am PS pump mimicked
a bad wrist pin or collapsing lifter. I was happy it was the pump.
Put a good stethoscope on it and it should tell the tale.
Look at this
http://www.automotivehelper.com/topic203481.htm
Here's a recall on the rack, but it's one of those "maybe" needs work
deals.
Go to http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/recalls/recallsearch.cfm
and plug in 03V527000 as the campaign in the Quick Search.
I've got a '97 Lumina that's included in that recall but it's given me
no problems with 172k miles on it.
Think it's the original pump, but not sure. They're a minor job to
change out, so check that first with a steth.

[Ed Pawlowski]

Post by blowout preventer
Both -- the car does it when sitting still, but also while moving.
For example, while pulling up to drop someone off in the parking lot
last night, I made about a 45 degree turn while still going probably 10
mph, and it made the noise described above. I was just returning from
about a 30 mile trip.
While it's making the noise, I THINK I detect a slight difference in
the effort required to turn the steering wheel.
I haven't noticed it making a difference if it's full operating temp
or when I first start it up. It seems to do it pretty much any time I
rotate the steering wheel any "appreciable" amount -- i.e. if I had my
hand on the steering wheel at the 12 o'clock position, and rotated the
wheel to where my hand was now at 10 o'clock.

That leads me to believe it is probably the pump rather than the rack
or some other "moving" part.

Best is to have someone hold the wheel over while you listen under the
hood.