Azera TG (2006-11) :: 2008 - Power Steering Noise And Rattles

I got my 08 Azera Limited two weeks ago (it's a used vehicle, less than one year old with only 7,500 miles on it.... it's a Carmax car, but after the purchase I got it checked through by a dealer and everything seems to be fine. Interior looks and smells like new, 3 minor scratches in the paint which have been fixed... nothing else. considering i paid less than 20k, not a bad deal).

However, I noticed a few things (within the past two weeks):

1) power steering noise. When the engine is on (the car can be in park or drive) and I start moving the steering wheel (even if I move it only VERY slightly), I can hear a softly grinding/whining noise.... it occurs when i move the wheel right or left. when the car is moving faster than lets say 20mph ... you tend not to hear it because other noises (wind, street, engine) cover it up. But it's clearly there when you drive very slowly and it's quiet (parking garage etc).

The PS fluid is ok and i cannot detect any leaks. I assume the noise is a "noisy" PS pump or it's the pressure in the PS system which makes those whiny noises.

2) rattles. I read most of the rattles post here and I have to admit, that my 08 Azera has some rattles too. Nothing serious, but it shows that the Azera is not quite Lexus class.

The most annoying rattle i have is in the drivers door. it comes from the speaker area (the upper speaker in the drivers door) and something in there seems to rattle. It's most obvious when I go less than 60mph and the pavement/street is bad - there are vibrations in the car. unfortunately i don't think i can fix that rattle without opening the speaker cover or so. wonder if hyundai fixes rattles after the 12 month adjustment warranty??

The second rattle I have is the center speaker in the dashboard. if i go on vibrating pavement less than 40mph i can sometimes hear that speaker rattle... if i put the hand on it, it disappears for a while and then comes back again.... unfortunately roads here in texas do suck big time (concrete pavement patchwork with lots of holes....) and so I can hear that rattle a few times on my way to work.

The most annoying rattle came from the back seats but was in fact the tool box on the spare tire in the trunk. i turned that plastic piece on the spare tire a few degrees until it fit better and the rattle disappeared. if it comes up again i will try to put a blanket on top of the spare tire. it's interesting who much noise comes from the trunk into the main cabin.

I haven't had any suspension problems so far and I think the Azera suspension is quite stiff but very sporty. Back in Germany I had a 06 Audi A4 TDi as a company car and the A4 suspension was somewhat comparable to the Azera.