Noise gets louder with A/C. What is it?

[AdamFogle]

When I turn my steering wheel with my AC on, there is a loud noise that I can only describe as tires on a rubber floor. When the AC is off, you can barely hear it, if at all, but it is still there. Is it that my power steering pump has gone bad? Someone told me it was my tie rods, but I thought that was more of a knocking sound. I figured when my AC comes on, it puts more stress on the PS pump or something, therefore making whatever noise it is. I'd like to know for sure before I go an replace it. Thanks.

Adam

 

[Methodical]

When you turn the wheel is it a smooth feel or is it sort of jerky and does it make the sound when turn left and right or just left or right. Usually, the power steering pump has a whining sound especially if the fluids are low or going bad. Have someone turn the steering while you listen under the hood so that you can try and pinpoint the noise. There will probably be more replies so I suggest you gather as much info as possible to provide for diagnostic help. Just One Man's Opinion. Peace

 

[mo_dingo]

did you check to see if you are low on PS fluid (mercon ATF).
Scott

 

[AdamFogle]

It has enough power steering fluid, so I don't think that is it. I had a friend listen under the hood while I turned the wheel and he said he thought it was coming from the power steering pump. I took it to the shop for other work and they put in their two cents that it was the tie rods. I don't know. It seems to make more noise when turning to the right, however, turning left it still makes the noise, just not quite as noticeable. It doesn't jerk around or anything, but it makes an awful noise. I was reading some where that you should change your power steering pump after so long anyway and seeing that it is a 94 with 85k on it, I figured it wasn't a bad idea. At the same time, I dont want to be doing guesswork by replacing parts here and there if they don't need to be replaced in the first place. I will probably just replace the PS pump to see if thats it, but if anyone has a suggestion or testimony, I'd love to hear it.

 

[donjohn]

the power steering pump makes a noise, but more of a crunching or grinding noise

since you're describing it as a really annoying sound (which normal ford ps pumps are annoying, but very livable) it would lead me to believe that it was either the tie rods or lower control arm since they're not greasable (at least the stock ones aren't). i'd put my money on the lower control arms ... but the tie rods are way cheaper to replace (like $10 each for outer tie rods?) so it might be initially cheaper to throw ur money at outer tie rods