Power steering woes, er, groans!

[mikkelstuff]

The power steering rack on my 2002 4WD XLT began to leak - the 2nd rebuilt rack in three years!

This time I took the truck into a new local but, I think, competent independent mechanic to replace the rack. He also found metal flakes in the power steering fluid so he flushed the system and replaced the pump as well. All worked well BUT, at rest, the steering groaned so bad I couldn't stand it. My mechanic couldn't understand this as well in that they had flushed the system and vacuum filled it.

I returned the truck as my mechanic guaranteed his work. Now they have replaced the rack twice, the pump twice, all the hoses, flushed the system again, vacuum filled with synthetic fluid AND it still groans terribly without the truck rolling. My mechanic, nice guy, is exasperated!

Any idea as to what is wrong? Even with the leaky power steering rack, there were no groans like this.

 

[Dirtman]

Remanufactured power steering racks are worthless garbage...

 

[mikkelstuff]

Mechanic, at my insistence, installed a newly manufactured rack - not a rebuilt.

 

[1990RangerinSK]

Low fluid? I've found with vehicles that have leaky power steering systems that when the fluid gets too low, the pump is noisy.

Wrong fluid? I don't know what would happen if you put the wrong fluid in, so that might be a possibility.

 

[sgtsandman]

Where did the pump come from? The only one I found that didn't make noise was direct from the dealer. It was still a rebuild but it didn't whine. The first replacement pump I bought was from an auto parts store and it was noisier than the pump I replaced.

 

[97RangerXLT]

air in the system? that will make the pump noisier too. but over all, Ford P/S pumps are just noisy...

AJ

 

[mikkelstuff]

I was just talking with an old Ford friend who told me they went through no less than 5 power steering racks of all brands on an F150 until they found a quiet one.

 

[mikkelstuff]

Got my truck back today. My (local independent) mechanic apologized profusely for not being able to silence the power steering. He did put in a new, not rebuilt, rack, another new pump, and new hoses.

I drove the truck and had to roll the window down with the truck stationary to ever hear the groan.

The previous rebuilt rack groaned so bad it would turn heads in the neighborhood! And yes, rebuilt racks are "worthless garbage."

I called the mechanic and told him I was happy and he was way too concerned - considering what he had to work with. I need this guy!

 

[sgtsandman]

Maybe it will quiet down over time as it’s being driven.

 

[Dirtman]

Personally I blame Obama....

 

[97RangerXLT]

Personally I blame Obama....

Its Trumps turn for blame! Obama is retired!