Most likely a bad valve or vane in the pump.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
Of Rob Campbell
Sent: Friday, June 23, 2006 5:06 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: power steering groan?

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