Power steering groaning

[nickofnumenor]

Hello All,

2006 murano FWD

I just replaced my passenger side axel along with the high pressure line on the power steering system. Two seemingly unrelated maintenance items that needed service coincidentally at the same time. (CV boot split saw some grease... replaced it)(saw some leaking PS fluid, traced it, replaced it), Now my problem is that there is a loud groaning noise thats only loud inside the vehicle, and I hear it when I'm in the parking lot turning to extremes and moving slowly (parking etc..). There are no performance issues with exception to the groan. The steering seems fine.

Here are the things I have tried and items to note:

1 - the service manual says to "bleed the system", in doing so they say turn steering wheel lock to lock etc... I've done this on at least 8 occasions with no difference.. still groaning

2- I've determined the source of where the groaning is coming from with a mechanics stethoscope and the sound is coming from the rack and pinion area (if you will). Again: There is no performance issues whatsoever in steering with exception to the sound.

3- I NEVER ran the system without fluid just in case anyone is wondering. Used the required ATF fluid... everything by the book. No leaks in the Hose job... no decrease in the fluid levels...etc..

My suspicion is that there is air somewhere deep in the system that's trapped in there.

Can anyone help?

Thanks

Nick

[nickofnumenor]

Is there anybody out there???