I have a 2001 Venture with a steering problem. When on left hand turns, you can feel sticking in the steering. It is most noticeable on sweeping turns like on/off ramps where you are turning left and holding it there for several seconds. Right hand turns are completely smooth. No noise either and the power steering fluid is right at full. The severity of the sticking doesn't change based on the speed I'm going and there is no sticking when standing still and turning the wheel.

 

Pff, this is a tricky problem.
- If you turn your steering all the way to one side, does your steering pump make a noise?

- did you check tire pressure? When your tires or your shock absorbers are worn out, then your tires starts "flying" over the road. When your tire leaves the ground, your steering wheel doesnt feel any more pressure and thinks you are driving straight ahead. Its just a thought. But it could really be something simple as that.

But if there's something we learned from Murphy, then its that "nothing is ever simple".
I m not sure about the Venture, but with most cars you can easily see the power steering box and on that, there is usually a seperate smaller belt. It could be that that belt is damaged.

 

It does make a shuttering noise when the wheel is extended all the way in either direction but not all of the time. It will also make a whining noise when accelerating and still turning left.

 

So basically, if you put too much pressure on your steering pump, it starts acting up. You might need to replace the steering pump (or maybe just the belt , which would be cheaper )