98 Ranger steering pump noise

[RussOsborne98Ranger XLT]

Hi.
Just bought a 98 Ranger XLT.
PO had the power steering pump replaced twice, but it still makes lots of noise.
I am going to flush the fluid, add Bar's Leaks 1600 Power Steering Repair based on an online recommendation, and bleed the air out. I also need to check for leaks, as he wasn't sure if his mechanic replaced any lines. Hoping it isn't the rack leaking.
Any other ideas to try?
Thanks,
Russ

 

[sgtsandman]

There are a couple of lines on the steering rack that will rot out over time. If I remember correctly, the cost of the lines wasn't horrible. I think I had to get those from the dealer. No one else had them.

I had the same issue with the power steering pump and noise. I ended up getting a reman from the Ford dealer because the reman from an auto parts store was actually louder than the pump I replaced.

I would strongly suggest you avoid using any kind of stop leak in the system. If it plugs the leaks at all, it will also build up and possibly clog other parts of the system where you don't want it as well. Stop leak products tend to cause more problems than they fix. Maybe not immediately but they will come back to haunt you at some point.

 

[Dirtman]

Hi. Welcome to owning a ford. The pump wines. Live with it.

If you add barrs leak intend on spending money to replace every single peice of the steering system. I guarantee it.

 

[RussOsborne98Ranger XLT]

Ok, guess I won't be using that stuff. I was more hoping it would stop the whine, but oh, well.
I do have some engine degreaser that I plan on spraying underneath around the rack area which is pretty bad. Hoping if there is a leak I can find it.
Don't want to just start shotgunning parts at this point. Need to be somewhat careful with how much I spend on this. But then I also don't want to end up stranded on the side of the road, either.
I've had older Fords, much older. This Ranger is on another level of steering pump noise, always sounds like it is out of fluid. If that is normal I guess I have to learn to live with it.

This is an Arizona truck, so not much corrosion/rust. None that I have found so far, but I've learned never say never. As opposed to say an Ohio car. I never heard of brake or gas lines corroding until I moved there for a few years.

Thanks,
Russ