Steering noises & tweaked bumpers

[2000 XCR'r]

I've started hearing a slight noise, (sounds like a power steering whine) when I'm turning to the left, from a dead stop and under normal driving, but it doesn't seem to be doing it as much when I'm turning to the right. I haven't
checked the power steering fluid yet, I'll do that tonight, and I'm
praying that's what the problem is.
Also, I was hit from behind waiting at a light, last week, and the rear bumper
is kind of tweaked. There's no damage to the bumper itself, so I was hoping, with a little work, I could get the bumper back to it's original position. Any thoughts on these situations would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

[srs]

I had a left turn noise on my 1998 XC70. It was sort of a subtle grinding vibration. It turned out to be a broken engine mount on the right side. They had to remove the mount to notice it. Wheel bearings seem to cause similar turning problems but I would check the mount first. It is much less expensive.

[3p141592654]

I had this problem recently but only hard left turns. Had me stumped for a while but it was indeed low PS fluid. duh! Stupid leaky crimp clamp hoses, what was Volvo thinking?

[2000 XCR'r]

Thanks for the responses. It was indeed the low PS fluid, that
was the cause of all the whining. Maybe a little less than a half a quart of fluid, and the noise is gone. [thumbup]
The story with the rear bumper is it's as easy as pulling the 2 main bolts, @ the ends of the bumper underneath, and taking out the screws @ the rear mudflaps. I took the bumper off, to reveal the 2 brackets that are connected to the frame, which were bent to beyond recognition. I took those off hammered them back into something that resembled a bracket, and reinstalled the bumper. Easy, peasy, japanesey. Sorry, about the lame movie quotes, but it feels really good when a DIY project works out, the way you hope it would.

[oceansunrise]

I am just now getting my 2000xc back from the dealer. I had a noise when making left turns, the first time the dealer thought it was low fluid and a loose clamp. I got the car back and, on the way home the noise returned [mad2] . I took it back only to find that the power steering pump had to be replaced. Now, over $600 later, I am finally getting my car back. A little disappointed they did not diagnose the problem and fix the first time, but, hope I am out of the woods with this now.

P.s. The same thing happened during this same time with my wife's 04 xc and it was a loose calmp and low on fluid, read this site and found that to be a common problem.