They groan when low on ATF.  Getting low on fluid means a leak
somewhere.  If low on fluid, check all your lines and the steering rack,
too.  A leak at the steering rack might not be obvious at first ...
check the boots to see if there is ATF in them (there shouldn't be any).

Don't run the pump without fluid.  If you have to drive it and you don't
have ATF to put in then remove the power steering belt.

If the fluid level is fine ... then the pump is suspect.

Mike

Rob Campbell wrote:
> Hi vanners-
>
> Today I noticed something odd at lunch hour but didn't have time to
> check it
> out.  When parking, the power steering, while seeming to function fine,
> started to make some strange groaning sounds.  It did not squeak like the
> belt can do... I don't think it was CV joints or suspension related because
> it happens instantaneously when moving the steering wheel just slightly,
> like 1cm, but before the wheels are actually affected.  So this is probably
> something in the hydraulics or the pump?  I will diagnose more thoroughly
> over the weekend but was hoping this symptom was familiar to someone so
> that
> I would know what I am up against and what to check for.  If I had to text
> the sound, I guess it would be "errrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr" more of a creaky
> groan than a rumble or squeak.  It is unusual and not typical for my van.
>
> thanks for any words or troubleshooting approaches,
>
> rob in long beach
> 87 westy
>