Chrysler Repair: grinding , growling noise, chrysler town and country, power steering pump

Question
morning, well i have been trying to figure out what is wrong with my wives 2006 Chrysler town and country van , a few weeks ago it started to growl or a low grinding sound , at first I thought it was the power steering pump, i removed the power steering reservoir and cleaned out the screen in the bottom of it, nothing in it by the way,everything looked good. I've read online about a bad power steering pump , but wouldn't that create a squealing noise instead of the low growl, rumble, grinding noise i am hearing?  sounds like a bad bearing noise, i can put my hand on the pump while the engine is running feels like it could be it , but also all of a sudden i thought about the ilder tension arm , what do you think any help would be greatly appreciated.    thank you

         Tim Valdez

Answer
Hi Tim,
You might do well to localize the sound by using a rubber hose piece as an 'ear horn' and point it closely at each possible part while listening via the other end of the hose at your ear. The steering pump noise should also be greater as you turn the wheel slightly off-center while stopped (at rest) or while driving if it were the source. I am not certain about the idler arm. You might also listen at the powersteering gear itself. The pump also makes noise similarly when it is low on fluid.
Roland