Winding sound while turning at low speeds?

[Tex]

Year/Make: 1992 Nissan 240SXMileage: 140k milesTrans: ManualLocation: Atlanta

The Problem: I hear a winding sound, similar to how mote controlled car sounds (but louder). The noise comes from the front of the car it seems.

When it Occurs: The sound occurs when driving at low speeds, like through a parking lot. The most common time I hear it is when turning into a parking spot. It is more subtle when I drive straight, and gets louder when I turn my wheel. When the car is at a stop and I turn the wheel, the winding sound still occurs, but not as loud. I don't notice a relation to RPMs (ie, reving the engine doesn't adjust the sound). I notice no relation to outside temperature, and it makes no difference how long the car has been running.

What could this be??? Thanks in advance!

[DrIfT_FoReVeR]

this has been happening to me for the past week, too. is it like a steady deep drone that seems to get louder when you turn the wheel, and then back to being softer when you stop turning? thats how mine is, and i think it's got something to do with the power steering...in fact, im almost 100% positive that it has something to do with the power steering.

also, does it only make that sound after the car warms up (or gets driven hard/raced), or is it constant? when mine is doing it, i can touch the gas pedal and it'll rev up and make the sound actually go up in pitch...i think we may have similar problems...CAN ANYONE HELP?

(btw not meaning to hijack the thread, so dont treat me like im the one asking questions.)

[gabossie]

It's the power steering pump. Mine is bad too. It makes the sounds when you rev because it's on the main engine belt.

[NISTECH]

P/S pump,check your fluid level and check the system for leaks at the front pump seal of the P/S pump,the high pressure line mounted to the pump and at the rack bellows. You may be drawing air into the system in one of those locations.

[nlzmo400r]

first make sure you have fluid, after that, make sure you're not leaking it. I have leaky hoses nad have to put new p/s fluid in once every 3 or 4 weeks. So it may not be the pump, only the hoses or lines from the rack

[Tex]

Good call, the fluid level is nearly dry. I'll fill it and see what happens.

Just out of curiosity, how much would a pump cost to be replaced? How about the hoses?