Steering whine

Here lately, once in a while my car has been doing two things. The first thing I noticed was that it made a squeaky door sound whenever I turned the wheel to the left. Once in a while though, it would also make a loud whinning sound that sounded like a power steering whine, and got louder and more high pitch when I turned the wheel to the left. However, turning to the right didn't make the sounds. It would usually stop making the whinning sound after a while, but last night it got REALLY loud and it didn't go away all night. This morning, it was still doing it, and my power steering fluid was just a little bit low, about one inch under the "cold" line. I topped it off and later both the squeaky sound and the whine went away. It hasn't come back yet today. I don't know if it just stopped on its own or if it stopped because I topped off the fluid. Also, I don't understand how the squeaky sound and the whine would be related, as the squeaky sound sounded more like a tie rod ending to me, but appearently the are related because they both seem to come and go together. What do you guys think?

I haven't noticed any fluid leak. I was just under the car last sunday getting a rattle out of my exhaust and after I was done I went ahead and started the car and crawled back under it to check for any problems, ie. fluid leaks, exhaust leaks, etc. I didn't have anyone turn the wheel while I was under there, but I assumed that if there were a p/s leak, it would still leak with the engine running without turning the wheel. I'm off work tomorrow so I'll probably check again. Oh, and if my p/s pump needs replaced, about how much would one cost? I'm pretty sure I could change it myself without much trouble.

svttech76 said:

most fo the time the squeeky door sound you describe is the tie rod ends. but when the tie rods make that nosie it's fairly constant. you might have a problem with your steering rack.

what speeds are you driving at when it makes these noises.

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It makes the noises mostly when I'm driving slow (15 mph and under).
I thought it could be the steering rack, but I don't know why adding P/S fluid made it stop. I'm thinking I have a leak. If not, about how much would it cost to have a shop change the steering rack?

svttech76 said:

I would pay no more than 2 hours labor then add 40 bucks or so to get the toe reset.

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Not too bad at all. Thanks a lot man.

Well, after 2 days the whine is completely gone. I just drove the car up into the driveway and turned the wheel back and forth for a while, then backed the car up to look for any spots of fluid. No spots. I looked under the car and saw nothing leaking. I guess over time my fluid just got a little low and hopefully it's ok now.