Steering Groan in 1998 Venture

When the steering wheel is turned at certain angles, there is a groaning and some vibration. Really it's only noticable when parking, i.e. not moving at all or moving very slow. Turn the wheel past that angle and it goes away. Turn the wheel back to that spot and it starts groaning again. Hold it in that spot and it'll keep groaning (even if not moving). I've never actually verified that it's turned at the same angle between instances (there may even be a couple spots that the groaning occurs), but it's definitely repeatable. My wife drives it most of the time so I only get to hear it once or twice a week...but it's getting worse. The steering pump seems to spin no problems, and I've never had to add any steering fluid.

Any ideas?
Thanks,
Ken

Welcome to the crappy world of the Chevy Venture, the most problematic vehicle I have ever owned! :D I would bet that the steering rack is getting near it's last leg. See if you can take the van somewhere and have the power steering system flushed and new fluid put in, remember this is a mostly forgotten about service just as the transmission fluid is too. Don't you just love where they put the power steering fluid resevior on this van. You know the reason they put the alternator in the back and the power steering fluid on the top so close to the wipers, don't you? It's because Chevy's never need new alternators and the would NEVER leak P.S. Fluid!!!

Matthew Brough

1998 Chevy Venture -- 89,000 miles
1988 Chevy Silverado -- 148,000 miles
1977 Chevy Scottsdale C20 -- 275000 miles - no rebuild!!! I love my old truck!!

Welcome to the crappy world of the Chevy Venture, the most problematic vehicle I have ever owned! :D I would bet that the steering rack is getting near it's last leg. See if you can take the van somewhere and have the power steering system flushed and new fluid put in, remember this is a mostly forgotten about service just as the transmission fluid is too. Don't you just love where they put the power steering fluid resevior on this van. You know the reason they put the alternator in the back and the power steering fluid on the top so close to the wipers, don't you? It's because Chevy's never need new alternators and the would NEVER leak P.S. Fluid!!!

Matthew Brough

1998 Chevy Venture -- 89,000 miles
1988 Chevy Silverado -- 148,000 miles
1977 Chevy Scottsdale C20 -- 275000 miles - no rebuild!!! I love my old truck!!

Question from overseas (Sweden), did it help to change fluid?
Peter W
ee004

check with your dealer, as GM had a recall concerning 96-00 GM mini-van's rack and pinions.