Mine has the exact same noise except once or twice everytime I drive the car. I can reproduce it sometimes by turning left while backing out of a parking spot and then moving forward while turning right. It also hapens everytime I turn right into an inclined driveway from the street. I have had the intermiediate shaft changed twice and the rack replaced once. The shaft did not help at all and the rack made the noise go away for a couple weeks. The dealer told me that it is a "normal" noise for the car and will go away if they replace the rack but will comeback after it is broken in. I'm thinking about trading it in for something else.

ive never driven a gxp, so my theory may be off, but, im thinking that the majority of you are turning the wheel are far as it can go, which puts stress on the power steering pump causing that metallic grinding. it probably also causes the vibration too. also, its not good to have the steering wheel turned to all the way for more than a few seconds as it can/ will cause damage to the ps pump....just my $.02 i guess

In my case the wheel is not all the way to one side. I know that noise
Last weekend I had a buick tech drive it around and he couldn't reproduce the noise. I got in and pulled into a parking stall. Cranked the wheel left while backing out and cranked the wheel right while moving forward and the noise happened again. I was able to repeat the noise three times in a row and then he drove it again and only got it to make the noise once. He is now completely stumped, and is worried about the amount of vibration that came through the column.

It also seems to be the exact same spot in the wheel too. Turning right, about half way between center and max to the right.
My noise did go away for a while after the rack was replaced, GM says that it is a normal noise for the vehicle and will disappear when the rack is replaced but will return after the new rack is broken in.

I know this is an old topic but it appears as though the steering groan has been fixed. It turns out there is a TSB dated to Jan 25, 2008 which indicated changing a power steering hose.

My invoice states, "#PIC4752: Moan/Squawk Noise During Low Speed Turning Maneuvers (Jan 25, 2008 REPLACED PS RETURN HOSE AS PER BULLETIN)

This appears to have solved the problem.

I have the extended GMPP warranty so it cost me the deductible ($100). It looks like about $300 job including the labour according to the dealer invoice.

I also have the shaft click, but that happens while rotating the steering wheel.

I had more of a clicking noise that was definitely related to tire speed... low speed, tight turn, steering wheel held steady.

My problem turned out to be the driver'* side wheel bearing. When I jacked the tire off the ground, it was real obvious. As near as I can figure, the rotor would lean hard over and touch the caliper bracket or the clips holding the pads.

This might not be it, put it'* pretty easy to check.

Does anyone still have the noise issue in the steering? Mine became so frequent, it was just part of driving the car. I just unloaded $1,400 for 4 new Goodyear Eagle RSA'* mounted and road force balanced. I have not heard the noise since. My tires were in dangerously bad shape. I was down to the wires. I decided I needed new tires about a year ago and didn't do anything till i got poked by a wire sticking out of the tire.

I'll post again if the noise comes back, but for now it seems to be gone with the old tires. Not sure if that is even possible. Oh, the tires seemed to be originals. The car somehow made it 84,000 on one set.

Being as thin as your tires were, could have been the metal belt sticking out of one of the tires? Had that happen once. Never had the power steering groan. IM shaft is beginning to click again, I will just grease it. If treated right the RSa'* can go along ways, I still have the originals on the back with alot of tread with 45K on the odometer. Getting ready for to mount set #4 on the front for winter (Blizzaks) then I have 4 new ones for Spring. I like to shop for bargains on the net and buy ahead. I got the Blizzaks at a closeout price of $121 from TireRack.

Mine sounds like a moan when I turn the wheel. Pontiac dealer replaced the high pressure hose, but the noise returned. I think the rack may have a problem. Could it be fluid bypassing a seal inside momentarily?