Please help!
The steering in my brick is getting worse, but I don't know if it's the rack going bad or the power steering pump not working.

The symptoms:
Groaning noise while driving (not turning), noise has since ceased.
Occassional groaning noise while turning slowly (almost always when parking).
Stiff steering off of a cold start (almost always occurs).
Stiff steering in cold weather.
Steering is rarely stiff when outside temperature is above 50 degrees, and power steering seems terrific when above 70 degrees.

Any thoughts?

I dont have the stiffness I once had but....I really feel your pain...My '92 745T STILL does the same..In Sept. I replaced the rack, power steering hoses, p/s belt, installed an in-line Magna-filter, No fluid loss or stiffness but still the same growling. Last week replaced the pump and yesterday removed the filter as one shop felt it may not be getting enough fluid..The level is correct, it's bled correctly the dealer told me he'd never seen such clean fluid and he could find nothing wrong. Changed belts again just in case I had a bad one and the adjustment is proper..I'm told the only reason they growl is not enough fluid or a bad pump..If you get any more GOOD advice and not more, "check the fluid" or, "my dad once had..." Let me know..Good luck! Bob Walter, rwalt44@netscape.net

The cheap thing to do:
drain and replace the fluid. See what that does. Remember to run the wheel lock-to-lock many times to bleed air out of the system, or it will groan. Best done with the front end jacked up so you don't wear a spot in your tires.

The more expensive thing to do:
Replace the rack. The stiffness is what we used to call "740 morning sickness" and they seem to develop it at a certain age. Only surefire fix is, replace the rack. They're $200 or so rebuilt, and maybe $100 from a junkyard. I'd go with a rebuilt. It's not as difficult to change as it sounds, though you'll need an alignment to set the toe-in afterwards.
--
Rob Bareiss, New London CT ::: 'Roterande Fläkt Och Drivremmar!'

Sounds like the problem my dad's taurus has when it's low on fluid. Be sure that the fluid level is ok.
-Nathan

do you hear a sounds like a belt going? or maybe bearings squeking?
if you do its probly your power stearing pump going.