Okay, I posted this up under purg... but I was wondering what you're opinions are as to the cause of the following problem. (PNG, if you have any ideas what else it could be... feel free to post)

The car's power steering acts up whenever I push the clutch to the floor, and only then. Right now, it is only a slight annoyance, but I don't want it to go completely when I'm driving to Pittsburgh or Carnegie Mellon, both of which are in unfamiliar territory, much less a LONG distance from home. The power steering fluid is up to the full line (I checked it again). Also, at about the same time (possibly unrelated) there is a noise coming from the front of the car in second gear. It's loud, irritating, and yet I can't quite figure out where it's coming from (mostly because the car has to be in gear). The transmission/clutch were both rebuilt (under warranty) and the axle boots were both replaced for the front axle recently, as well as the front axle getting cleaned (the mechanic couldn't get it off, or even see the axle clearly... it was pretty bad). If it is either of these that caused the problem, the mazda dealership will redo the work free if I bring it in to them (it's more likely that they'll do this if I bring it in sooner than later).

Sorry about the length... oh, hi again guys... and thanks in advance.