steering pump noise

[dashhho]

My truck has always had a power steering whine since I got it. From reading around it seems most deem this normal. Recently I have noticed more of a shuttering of the pump when turning the wheel at a dead stop - it is definitely not a whine. It is accompanied by a stiff wheel. It doesnt do it if I'm crawling or moving. It has fluid and no noticeable leaks.

Does this sound like a pump on its way out? Is there any diagnostic procedures to find out more of what may be going on?

 

[franklin2]

Do you have a serpentine belt or a v-belt? If you have a v-belt, I suspect the belt is slipping. If you have a serpentine, check it's condition and that the tensioner is keeping it tight.

P.S. You can also have balljoint problems which makes the steering hard to turn.

 

[gw33gp]

Power steering whine may happen a lot but it is not considered normal. My 2002 Ford Service manual even states if it is making noise, it should be purged to eliminate it because it can damage the pump. Purging is done by pulling vacuum (20-25 in-Hg) on the reservoir, at normal fluid level, with the engine at idle for 3 min. Then release the vacuum and refill if needed. Apply vacuum again and cycle the steering right and left, full lock, every 30 seconds for 5 minutes.

 

[dashhho]

Power steering whine may happen a lot but it is not considered normal. My 2002 Ford Service manual even states if it is making noise, it should be purged to eliminate it because it can damage the pump. Purging is done by pulling vacuum (20-25 in-Hg) on the reservoir, at normal fluid level, with the engine at idle for 3 min. Then release the vacuum and refill if needed. Apply vacuum again and cycle the steering right and left, full lock, every 30 seconds for 5 minutes.

Can it be done without the vacuum pull. Turning the steering wheel with engine off and wheels off ground? I don't have one on hand, maybe an auto store nearby will rent one.

 

[RonD]

Make sure power steering fluid is topped up
Go to a gravel or dirt road, or jack up the front wheels, saves wear and tear on the tires
Engine on
Turn steering wheel lock to lock a few times to see if it clears out any air in the system, stuttering gone
And have a look under the front to see if any fluid is dripping out, if so then it can also SUCK AIR IN

Stuttering can also be the fan belt slipping, generally this will make a "squeal" noise but not always, and power steering pump is the hardest pulley to turn so most likely to slip/stutter

 

[sebastian323]

My truck has a constant whine from the power steering pump, but the steering wheel is in no way hard to turn. Would replacing the pump be the only fix? Is there some sort of o-ring or seal which I can use to remedy this problem?

 

[RonD]

Just a Ford power steering pump issue, although some are louder than others

Google: ford power steering pump whine

There is a list of "fixes" you can try

And could be the pump is failing
Article here on replacing it with a QUIET one: https://www.therangerstation.com/Magazine/Fall2009/saginaw_pump.shtml

 

[sgtsandman]

I had to replace mine with a factory remanufactured to make it stop. I tried an aftermarket remanufactured pump first and it was louder than the original pump was!

 

[rumblecloud]

Just did mine with an Auto Zone reman (Duralast). Haven't driven more than 10 miles so we'll see how that works out.
So far so good.

Wasn't as difficult as I had imagined.