Isuzu: Funky Noise When Turning Sharply

Hello everyone.

I just bought a '96 Trooper LS three months ago.
No problems until just today when the steering started making a
groaning sound at turns that worsens (loudens) with the sharpness of
the turn.

This still applies while static.

I got out & checked as soon as i started hearing it - it makes the
same noise regardless of whether the vehicle is in motion.
It seems a bit early for power steering fluid maintenence...

any ideas or advice?


thank you in advance,

Jae
Raleigh NC

PS
_
there's not any clacking per se & i can tell i haven't popped open a
cv boot, i checked for all that, as i've experienced that before in
another vehicle. no sludge leakage or anything...

- it's more of a hissy sort of straining sound that seems to be
stronger on the driver side, but that could just be because i'm closer
to it so it seems louder on that side..