Just bought an 03 Grand Cherokee Limited (4.0L I6) with 107,000 miles. When turning in either direction, the car makes a strange "grinding rubbing noise" as best I can describe it. I've topped off the power steering fluid and checked tire size. Any suggestions or advice? Thanks!

 

do you have an 04 or 05? the front ends are different and the reason i ask is because they didn't put the 4.0 (I6 not V6) in the wk's they used the 3.7 V6 and the limiteds didn't even come with a 6 cylinder...so i'm a little confused...

 

My apologies, its an 03 Grand Cherokee Limited with an inline 6 4.0L, automatic 2x4. Glad to see I am chatting with someone who knows his Jeeps!

 

did you try having someone sit inside and turn the wheel side to side while you look underneath and around to try and pinpoint where the sound is coming from?

 

Will try that to see if I can pinpoint the noise. Thanks!

 

It seems to only make the noise when moving, so it's hard to pinpoint where it comes from. It sounds/feels like if it was low in power steering fluid, but it's not.

 

03 WJ's had an issue with the gear box making a "honk" type noise, which was caused by something with the valving inside the steering gear. First thing I would do is check and make sure the steering fluid lines where they go into the gear are not touching. If they are bend them slightly so they don't touch, if it still makes the noise it is probably in the gear itself.
Most of the WJ's that I have seen do this, you can steer it all the way in one direction, then let go of the wheel and it will spin back about 1/4 of a turn and make the noise. Mostly durring parking lot manuvers at slow speed.