2006 T&C power steering noise...
 

I have a 2006 Town & Country with just over 63,000 miles on it with a 3.8L engine, and the power steering has started making noise. Not just a little noise either, it would be better described as a loud "groan". This has been going on for a few weeks now and I am not sure what to do. Kind of worried as to I read many complaints on the internet as to some of the troubles people seem to be happening. Let me explain what is going on....

1. There is no initial noise on start up. I mainly hear it after the vehicle gets good and warmed up

Example: Driving at interstate speeds. Now I don't really hear it while driving on the interstate, but when I get off the interstate and drive at any lower speed, I very definitely hear it.

2. You can turn the wheels to the left or to the right and you hear the noise increase. It will make the same noise whether it is in a drive gear or not.

3. The steering itself does not seem to be affected. The vehicle still turns normally and the turning of the steering wheel is smooth.

4. I have checked the power steering reservoir and it is between the two lines that indicate the normal operating range. This was checked with the vehicle off and not run for several hours.

I would appreciate any advice, tips, or similar experiences you may have had. Please let me know how you fixed the issue you were having.

If you need any additional information, just let me know.

Thanks in advance!!!

Does anyone have any thoughts, suggestions, or ideas?

I was just hoping for some suggestions before I spent a lot of money trying to figure out what is the issue.

Any thoughts on maybe it being the power steering pump, the brake fluid reservoir (I heard there is a screen in there that can sometimes get plugged), or maybe the rack and pinion?

I welcome any thoughts on the issue, also any help would be appreciated.....

I have seen a couple of threads that mention the screen/filter, I believe it's somewhere in the steering fluid resovoir. I recall you cant clean it, you replace the resovoir.
Sorry cant help more.

I meant to say the power steering fluid reservoir, I'm not quite sure what I was thinking. Thanks for the help.

Is there anyone else with other thoughts?

IIRC, there's a TSB about power steering on '06s. Perhaps one of the members with access can look it up and post

I am not sure I know what you mean. Can you elaborate a bit more, I am new to this site and to Chrysler's in general...

Thank you

Hi

Have a look at the last thread on this one.

https://www.chryslerforum.com/forum/...teering+screen

If you search on "power steering screen" there are quite a few threads, many mention the screen getting blocked.

Hope it helps.