Power steering whine!..need a fix??

[MUSTANGJOE]

Do you guys hear your power steering whine while your driving?..Makes the car sound broken in a way!..believe it or not when I have the windows open I can hear it just as much as the exhaust..makes the car have a weird annoying sound to it..doesnt sound clean . What can I do besides buying a new pump? I 've heard they still make the noise even though the pump is brand new. Thanks!

 

[Stang8URMPRT]

Try some Lucas Power Steering additive.. That's just a bandaid on the problem though. Time for a pump. also, check to make sure the fluid isn't low. If they fluid is low, the pump will whine.

 

[MUSTANGJOE]

Try some Lucas Power Steering additive.. That's just a bandaid on the problem though. Time for a pump. also, check to make sure the fluid isn't low. If they fluid is low, the pump will whine.

Thanks..do I have to drain all my present power steering fluid and then add the Lucas? If so how do I drain it! Thanks man!

 

[Stang8URMPRT]

All you need to do is pull the low pressure line off the bottom of the pump. It should be held on by a clamp. That'll let it drain out of the pump. You can also use a suction device that you can buy at any autoparts store. Like 5 bucks, and works awesome. If you don't wnat to buy one... Grab the turkey baster and suck it out that way lol

 

[MUSTANGJOE]

All you need to do is pull the low pressure line off the bottom of the pump. It should be held on by a clamp. That'll let it drain out of the pump. You can also use a suction device that you can buy at any autoparts store. Like 5 bucks, and works awesome. If you don't wnat to buy one... Grab the turkey baster and suck it out that way lol

Thanks thats what i'll do! ...If I can't find any lucas products is there another brand I can use?

 

[Stang8URMPRT]

You'll find Lucas at any major parts store in the country. I don't know anything else that does as good of a job, and right now I can't think of any other products for this problem.

 

[jb89coupe]

Just tell your passengers it's your supercharger. Or go manual. I tried the lucas stuff on my old pump, didn't really do much, but it was on its way out.

 

[HISSIN50]

you are only hearing noise while turning the wheel, right? it should not be constant. if it is, i would be thinking PS pump bearings. reman'd pumps are 40 bucks or so at the parts store.

good luck.

 

[Scorcher2005]

you are only hearing noise while turning the wheel, right? it should not be constant. if it is, i would be thinking PS pump bearings. reman'd pumps are 40 bucks or so at the parts store.

good luck.

i think he means a constant whine, even w/ the wheels parallel to the car. Anyways, when i turn my wheel all the way, my pump makes a slight wine. Its not a high pitched one, its more of a low, flat whine. What does this indicate?

 

[tjm73]

Most power steering noise is a result of low power steering fluid. I'd check that before I did anything else.

 

[MUSTANGJOE]

Thats right guys..I hear the noise even though I'm not turning (wheels are parallel). The fluid is fine...

HISSIN50..were are these bearings located?..is it woth it to change it or should I go for a new pump?...Does anyone have a price on this? Thanks again!

 

[HISSIN50]

IMHO, hearing noise with NO load on the steering is NOT normal (with even slight pressure on the steering wheel, yes).

I would get a reman'd unit before trying to rebuild one myself - you should be money ahead with a lifetime warranty (if bearings are gone, the rest of the guts probably are not in great shape either).

I dont think my thoughts on prices changed from my first post (40 bucks is what i paid).

good luck.

 

[MUSTANGJOE]

40$ for a rebuilt pump? thats not bad!..Hows the install?..Oh yeah..If I get this new pump and fill it with the lucas oil instead of the regular p/s oil..is this alright..or will it damage it? Thanks..

 

[tjm73]

If the engine is running the power steering pump is turning. Low fluid will cause it to whine and make noise whether you are touching the steering wheel or not. This is most likely a low fluid noise. Don't spend the $40 bucks unless you need too. A little xtra fluid may fix the noise.

You say the fluid is "fine". Put a little more in it. It's not uncommon for Ford P/S pumps to make noise even when the fluid looks "fine". My Fathers Ford dealership has people come in from time to time with a similar worry and the fix is a little more fliud. Even Ford has told the techs to make sure they have tried more fluid. It may say "fine" on the little dip stick and 4 oz more of fluid will make it silent again. I've seen it many times. One Ford car (don't remember which, Focus I think) had a TSB that said if a custoemr has a concern about a whining P/S pump add more fluid.

 

[crazypete]

Unplug the rubber drain line and start the motor with catchpan attached ( of course to contain the mess). Then gently add some ATF to flush out the system. Turn the wheel left and right to the stops to really drain it. Then fill her back up with ATF and see what it sounds like.....if it's still loud, lower the fluid level so it whines _real_ loud and call it a supercharger as suggested above.

 

[HISSIN50]

40$ for a rebuilt pump? thats not bad!..Hows the install?..Oh yeah..If I get this new pump and fill it with the lucas oil instead of the regular p/s oil..is this alright..or will it damage it? Thanks..

if you do choose to swap pumps, it is an easy swap. belt off, couple or 3 bolts to remove, undo two lines and that is about it (been some time since i did it). on the bench remove the snail (bracket) from the pump and pulley. use a pulley removal and install tool to put the pulley on the new one and reverse procedure (consult a manual - I am sure I leaving stuff out).

if the pump is new/reman'd, I would not run any additives - you should not have to. that is just me though.

good luck.