Groaning bag of snakes steering

[Kjeld]

I remember my first test drive in my Elan, pulling out of the drive way and hearing the hissing sound from the steering. "What the h*ll is that?". Like all Elaners, I became accustomed. The image of a bag of snakes under the hood hissing as I turn, is pretty cute too.

But it seems the bag of snakes is changing it's tune, as it were. The hissing has become a distinct groan, becoming louder the more the wheel is turned.

Is this a pump issue? Steering rack? 70k on the clock.

[Ekapol]

Might be too obvious. So little I know. Did you check the fluid level? I topped it up recently.

[Kjeld]

Fluid level, I wish. Thanks though Ekapol.

Can anyone tell me what the symptoms are for a failing pump?

[gmacz]

Is it working harder to compensate for any seized joints.The one at the bottom of the steering column comes to mind.It might be fighting against these joints and the increasing groaning noise is the joint getting tighter and tighter.Yours Gmacz

[gmacz]

Is it working harder to compensate for any seized joints.The one at the bottom of the steering column comes to mind.It might be fighting against these joints and the increasing groaning noise is the joint getting tighter and tighter.Yours Gmacz