Really stymied - Please help. Groaning/Creaking noise when turning left or right on my 2001 S60 Turbo. Even slightly turning causes the noise and seems to happen after the car has been driven. You can only hear it at low speeds while in the car otherwise it gets drowned out. Had my husband turn the steering wheel while parked and was able to narrow it down to where the steering column comes through the firewall. Appears to be coming from behind the master cylinder reservoir.

Power steering reservoir is not leaking, clamps look good, it's the newer reservoir (from Tech's pics), and no steering degradation.
92,000 miles, recently replaced struts/shocks, spring mounts in front.

Any ideas? Thanks, Lisa

 

Anybody?????

 

Is there a chance that your steering rack could be bent? I'm not sure.

 

Not sure how to tell if is bent. It has not been in an accident. But this symptom started after replacing front struts/shocks, seats, and mounts. At first only heard the groaning when turning, then isolated the noise in the firewall.

Also, the car will intermittently shudder violently upon an initial start, there will be power in reverse, but no acceleration in drive. When I restart the car, it performs fine except for the groaning. I honestly cannot figure out these issues, love driving it, but I'm ready to have a tantrum!

 

Did the bearing sleeve pop out of the rubber boot in the floorboard where the steering shaft goes through?

 

I'll check again, but everything looked like it was seated properly.

Would the power steering pump make the creaking/groaning sound in the area by the brake fluid reservoir (inside the engine compartment on the other side of the firewall from the steering column)? It either doesn't happen on my morning commute or it's not as pronounced as when driving home.

 

No it cannot make the noise over there.
Double check on the sleeve.