Power Steering Noise

[chappers]

I have a 52 plate Golf 130bhp diesel and it has started making a groaning noise on the steering.  It happens more when the car is cold.
If i steer and drive off from cold at low speed then i get a kind of groaning noise from the steering.  it will also do it if i am stationary and turn the wheel.  Somebody mentioned that it could be a belt slightly slipping, does that sound right to anybody?
he car has 56000 miles on it.
Has anybody had any similar problems with there steering or can throw any suggestions my way?

Any help would be greatly appreciated before i book the car in.

[kniterider]

you can check the condition of the multi v belt that drives the pas pump, if the diesel is similar to the petrol these are tensioned with a spring loaded pulley, normally a worn incorrectly tensioned belt would squeel like mad at all sorts of revs, it is deffo worth checking this along with your power steering fluid for a start, if these check out ok then its either the rack or the pump which wont be cheap, so lets hope it one of the 1st things!!

[topher]

like gaz says a loose belt will squeal at you.. either low fluid or a knackered pump i reckon

[chappers]

thanks for your help people.  Is the multi v belt the one that also runs round the alternator and air conditioning unit?  Will i be able to visually see if there is anything wrong with the belt??

Thanks again