I have a 2001 Excursion, 7.3L turbo diesel w/4x4. It seems I have a new noise which has recently started annoying the Mrs and would like some help diagnosing what the issue is as I think something is starting to fail.

If I am sitting in the ex with the motor running idle while in park, and wiggle the steering wheel slightly to the left or right, I am getting a whining sound. Granted I am not trying to exert pressure to turn the wheel, just moving it in either direction in a wiggle motion to reproduce the sound.

When I am driving, I hear the same noise while steering. I know I hear it at slow speeds but could not tell you if I hear it at higher RPMs because the truck is so loud. My first thought is that either the steering pump is going out (replaced 2 years ago), or it is low on steering fluid (which I will check in the AM).... BUT

I am noticing a similar sound when I place my foot on the brake. It gets louder the harder I push down. While the truck is in idle, I can gently press on the brake pedal and hear the noise, or I can firmly step on it, and it is louder.

Somehow I think these are related because they both started at the same time and sound the same, but I may be off my rocker.

 

Check your fluid level . Check for leaks . Hydroboost and power steering are directly connected .

 

Ok, I will check the fluid level and quality of the oil. Not sure when I changed it last.

 

I ended up flushing the fluids with some ATF. Thank you for pointing me in the right direction.

 

Happy to help . Did you find any leaks ? The fluid change may be all you needed .

 

None that I could readily see. The fluid was a nasty brown color when I dropped it. I just posted a major problem on another thread. Hopefully someone can help me with it.