Power steering growl when cold?

[Rubidon]

What would cause the power steering to growl when it is cold? This is my DD '01 Dodge Intrepid and I replaced the rack and pinion on it this summer and since it has been getting colder it is growling pretty loudly.I did the full lock to full lock to get all the air out. It only does it when you first start the car and when it is cold, after it runs for a minute it goes away.

[Darren]

My 1992 Camaro does the exact same thing! Did it this morning on my way to work too... I have no idea why tho, works fine after a minute or two.

[sman]

Are you kidding me! My 04 intrepid does this too! No one believes me! Does it for like less than 5 seconds when you first start it right?

[Rubidon]

It seems to go longer the colder it is outside. I just don't want it to freeze up on my way to work!!!

[sman]

For sure, the last few mornings it just makes this quick grunt kind of sound, lol. But I remember last winter when it was really cold it sounded really pissed for a 5 or 6 seconds. I pumped out most of the PS fuild and replaced it, thinking maybe it had water in it, and it helped a little bit. Also, FYI, they use ATF+4 for power steering and trans fluid. Its really slippery, but kinda thick, I was going to pump it all out and try some nice full synthetic RP power steering fluid or something thinner to see if it made a difference, I took it to the dealer last year because up until then it still had powertrain warranty, but they were unable to replicate the issue.

My car is like BRAND NEW. 04 Intrepid SXT with the 3.5, with only 22k miles on it. It is by far the most quality built car out of any in our house, with just this one weird quirk. lol.

[ezcruisn71]

I know that getting the air out of the power steering pump and gear box or rack is a big problem.
This is what we use to do to get the air out of the system after we rebuilt a rack or a pump at the Dealership.
We filled the pump with fluid then we would put a Vacuum pump on the reservoir and pull a vacuum on it.
Then we would jack the car up in the front on both sides.
With the engine off move the steering wheel lock to lock (from right all the way to the far left).
Do this several times with the vacuum on the system.
Shut the vacuum pump off and start the engine and move the steering wheel lock to lock.
The noise should be gone. If it is not keep repeating the procedure until all the air is out.
If it still does not go away replace the power steering pump and repeat the bleeding procedure before starting the engine.

[sman]

Would this cause it to only do it when cold? If its above freezing the noise does not occur. It also drives fine, full power assist, and my car has never been apart like rubidons has.

[ezcruisn71]

Well for Rubidon's problem I would say that it might be likely that it still has some air in the system because he recently replaced the rack and then the problem started. I don't know the history on your power steering problem yet.

[Rubidon]

This is the first winter we have had this car so I don't know if it has done it before.