98 GrCaravan Sport Question

Earlier this month we purchased a used '98 Grand Caravan Sport. It has
64K mi on it. We love the van.

I have noticed one thing that may be wrong. When turning into a
parking space or when backing out of a parking space with the wheel
turned we are *sometimes* hearing a "groan" or rubbing type noise
from beneath the drivers compartment, hard to tell which side.

It doesn't happen all the time but seems to happen more when I am
driving it then when my wife is. (She claims she never hears it). So
I am wondering if perhaps I turn the wheel "more", making a sharper
turning radius and this is causing the noise? Does that make any
sense to anyone? If so, what are some of the possible causes of such
a noise?

We have the 60 day dealer warranty and then the extended 3y/36K. I
would like to get it resolved within the 60 day if I can identify the
cause. The dealer is about an hour from where we live so I want to
make sure i can reproduce it for them, if I know what it is.

Thanks for any suggestions....

John

 

Are you turning the wheel until it stops? If so, your hearing the PS
pump groan under load. May also want to check the condition of the belts.

 

No- I am pretty sure I know what that sounds like. (PS pump)

This sounds like it is somewhere near the axle itself. Once it starts
it continues for a few seconds even if I release the wheel and let it
spin back straight up.

 

There is a low pitched sound that the rack on these vans makes. Not sure if
it's what you're hearing but they do make a little hydralic sound.
Larry