I recently bought a 2006 gasser Cherokee/Liberty. Export car 3.7 about 20,000mi
I noticed a very slight tick hard spot in the steering which I am not too worried about if it was alone. The power steering pump began to growl at low idle a couple of weeks ago. Then a really weird one. Sitting in traffic I heard and felt what sounded like a very low tone rubber bushing noise right when you start to turn the wheel and only just for an 8th of a turn.
I am a marine Engineer and Captain by trade and have wrenched, welded, cut apart, built limos, lifted, "never lowered" cars for 20+ years. Schooled in Hydraulics, Diesel-gas mechanics, refrigeration/a/c, electrical, and electronics, etc
The rubber bushing description is not perfect but, If anyone here has experienced this or works on hydraulics. It is exactly the sound of hydraulic fluid under pressure on a pressure control valve. Simple lack of volume causing the valve to open and close rapidly. I am in Panama and over the last two weeks I looked for a power steering pump. Not in the country. I just bought one at Napa in the states and it's on it's way down accompanied by a Frankenlift, moabs, and a slew of parts for my CJ. I'm pretty sure the steering pump is the problem on the growl and the rubber noise but the slight tick felt in the wheel worries me a little if they are related (rack). I should also add the alignment is off and had to hold the wheel to keep the car strait at highway speeds but the Franken lift is coming and I waited on that. This may be the sole cause of failure on an over laboring pump. Thanks to all for the site FAQ's articles and guiding me to the Franky and any advice on pump replacement or even my misdiagnosis would be greatly appreciated.

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If it xly's, xucks, or xloats rent it.
1978 CJ5 304,T18,DANA20,MSD,EDELBROCK X3,MALLORY,D44,DETROIT LOCKER,LONG WAY TO GO
2006 LIBERTY Sport, Franky II PREM, moab's, 245/75/16 KM2's, All JL audio system, LIMO TINT.