OT Power Steering Pump Whining

Gary from Muleshoe · Oct 20, 2012

I have a 98 Ford Ranger and the power steering pump whines a bit when you turn the wheel. Is there any additive I can put in it that will help quite it down?

omahagreg · Oct 20, 2012

Almost every Ford I have been around has a power steering whine!

Gary from Muleshoe · Oct 20, 2012

Well I own three Fords and this is the only one doing it.

RayP(MI) · Oct 20, 2012

Possible that air has gotten into system? Have you checked and topped off the powersteering reservoir? Repalced a leaky line on a Chevrolet one time - was terribly noisy until all the air worked out.

JayinNY · Oct 20, 2012

Don't want to sound stupid, but most of the time they whine when low on fluid? You dident say if you checked the level or not!

Gary from Muleshoe · Oct 20, 2012

Full of fluid and now lines ave ever benn replaced.

Gambles · Oct 20, 2012

Later Fords have this reputation. The trouble with the aftermarket is that they can rebuild them to perform, but they don't care about the noise that they make.
Try this: Flush the system and replace it with Mercon V tranny fluid. Of course it will whine when you do the flush because of air mixed with the oil, but after a day of the foam settling down, add a small amount of LubeGard Red, available at selected auto parts stores. There is a good chance this procedure will cure it or quiet it down. Sometimes it won't.

Stephen Newell · Oct 20, 2012

Any time I've had a power steering whine it was warning it was soon to quit.

JayinNY · Oct 20, 2012

Any chance it could have air in it, the lines or pump?? Don't know.

mite-help · Oct 20, 2012

jon f mn · Oct 20, 2012

Actually there is something that will help, depending on how bad it is. The pump on my semi started to do that and I added some Motorkote engine oil additive. I use it in everything accept auto transmissions and it's the only thing I've found that I can verify that works. It quieted the pump in my truck down and lasted about 2 years, about 240,000 miles. It has started to make noise again so it's probly time for more. When I put it in my trany and rear ends it lowered the operating temp about 15-20 deg. It's expensive, about $20.00 for a quart, but that will treat a lot of stuff. I use 2 quarts in 11 gal. of oil for an oil change, but you only use it every 3rd oil change. It's good stuff.

Anonymous-0 · Oct 20, 2012

Exactly what I was thinking Greg.

Glenn F.

36 Coupe · Oct 21, 2012

All hydralic pumps are noisy under pressure.Fords are known for it.

showcrop · Oct 21, 2012

I have had a number of Fords that I put about 175,000 on before trade-in. I remember getting power steering pump whine on some of them so I just replace the pump, in order to retain confidence in the truck's reliability.

Richard G. · Oct 21, 2012

Get some synthetic power steering fluid and suck out the old fluid with a turkey baster. Refill with synthetic and crank and turn wheel back and forth.
I have to do this about every two years and has always worked.
Richard

Richard G. · Oct 21, 2012

Oh, this is very important. Clean the turkey baster well before you put it back in your wife's kitchen.
Richard

Lou from Wi. · Oct 21, 2012

Whining noise can be solved with 1/8pint of S.T.P. added to power steering pump.We have had a great deal of success but the additive as to be added from time to time. Aprox every 20K Miles. H.T.H. LOU.

Bryan inIowa · Oct 21, 2012

great luck with dumping in some STP .Don"t know why Fords do it ,,but seems to cure them .

Rick Kr · Oct 21, 2012

At 15 years old, I would sit it down and explain its too old to be whining any more. I have tried that once or twice with my pumps, didn't seem to work, but adding fluid did.

On the new vehicles there is a specific bleed procedure to follow, if you don't follow it you won't get all the air out. Not sure if a 98 would apply.

Rick

RodinNS · Oct 21, 2012

Pump is about done... the rack is probably not far behind if it's not done already. Usually the pump gets to whining after it's been run out of oil once or twice.

Rod

Bob N.Y. · Oct 21, 2012

My 1996 Mazda B-3000 (Ranger in disguise) does the same thing. It's at 193,476 miles and still going strong. This is the fifth Ranger/Mazda I've had and haven't had a pump give out yet.

Gary from Muleshoe · Oct 21, 2012

I appreciate all of the advice. Once thing have to disagree with though is that Ford always whine. I find this to be untrue as I have been driving Fords every since I was 16 and I am now 58 and this is the first one that has ever done it. My 99 F150 has 250,00 on it no problems, and my 2005 Expedition has 130,000 on it with no problems. My previous Fords never gave a problem. Thanks for the advice from all and rest assured I am not gong to give up on the Ranger.

I did have a long talk with it today and explained it was just to old to whine and when I finished my talk I think we have a clear understanding now.

OT Power Steering Pump Whining

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