I have an '88 7 with about 82K miles on it. Since I bought the car 2 years ago there has been considerable noise in the steering, but only when the temperature is cool (below 50 or so). Never a sound out of the steering when the temperature is warm (outside air temp, not engine temp). Just moved to Colorado Springs and have a large number of days in that range. Sounds like a grinding or binding but there seems to be no effect on the steering. Fairly loud, especially in the car. Took it to the local Mazda dealer in the Springs and they were either too lazy to look into it or tried it after storing the car inside their heater garage all night. Anyway, as I said it has been there for a couple of years and is pretty annoying but does not seem to affect operations. I don't drive the car much in the winter but would like to figure this out. Any ideas out there?
I also posted this on the Mountain/Midstates board, it was suggested that I post here for more input.

 

belts?

 

check you PS fluid level, fill it up a little above the "full" line.

 

Thanks. I have checked and replaced the belts adn the noise continues unchanged. I will check the PS fluid level but I believe it is also ok.

 

Change the power steering fluid, and change the belts (triple checking belt tension).

 

check the fluid, thats what mine does if its low.

 

Thanks all. I plan to drain and replace the PS Fluid (and keep it full).

 

Hate to bump this thread...

but did adding fluid solve the problem? Mine does the same (89 GTU)

I was told it's some plastic pieces or something rambling around (what it sounds like... pieces of metal or whatever clanking around)

Only does it when its cold.

 

I have had the same on mine since I bought the car, only when its cold. Let us know if you figure it out, I want to know!

 

My '88 SE does the same. There was a post about this not long ago. The general consensus was that it's the strut top bearings. It's a creaky sound, only when the wheels are turned, and in warmer weather, no noise.

 

Sorry to be stupid. But ...Does mazda prefer anything special when its comes to PS fluid? I have an old unopened bottle of PS fluid. My PS is low & making the discribed noise, and I'm anxious to add it.