1998 Dodge Stratus Steering noise

1998 DODGE STRATUS
247,000 MILES • 4 CYL • FWD • AUTOMATIC
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EWHIT
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When i'm turning there's a loud noise. I'm not really sure how to explain it. It's not really a grinding noise but more like a loud groan. I'm checking the power steering fluid as soon as i get off work. But could it be the pump? It's also hard to steer some mornings when i first start it. Kind of like the power steering is going out for a fraction of a second and coming back on. It steers jerkidly in the mornings. Thanks for any help
Mar 18, 2010 at 10:28 AM
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LEGITIMATE007
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yeah check the fluid, but also, will it do it while your in park or neutral?
Mar 18, 2010 at 12:44 PM
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EWHIT
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i'm not sure. I think so. i'll check later today.
Mar 18, 2010 at 12:57 PM
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LEGITIMATE007
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ok, keep me posted, because this will more than likely help determine if its the pump
Mar 18, 2010 at 12:59 PM
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EWHIT
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I put power steering fluid in it and that helped a lot and for a little while the problem was fixed. But now if i'm not moving i can barely turn the wheel at all and there's almost no power steering power at all. is the motor going bad? I checked and there's still plenty of fluid
Mar 29, 2010 at 10:34 AM
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LEGITIMATE007
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what do you mean there is almost no fluid? the power steering fluid is disappearing?
Mar 29, 2010 at 2:33 PM
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EWHIT
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there's plenty of fluid but no power coming from the pump. I'm not sure what happened but i think i accidentally fixed it. This morning my heater stopped working and after i got out of work i checked the anti freeze level and it was almost completly gone. I filled it back up and my heater started working again. When i pulled over i got out to check it again and there was a burning smell and smoke coming out. So i popped the hood and noticed that anti freeze had leaked out and was burning on the manifold. I started the car and watched for the leak and noticed anti freeze spraying out rapidly from where the thermostat is housed. I got a replaced the thermostat seal and that completly fixed my heater problem. And i don't know if it's permanent or not but my power steering is working perfectly. But it's only been an hour since i've fixed it so i'll have to wait and see.
Mar 29, 2010 at 6:04 PM