Read somewhere about a new pump that stops the noisy steering pump whine, but I am curious if anyone has done it on their 300 I6. If so I have a 1995 I6 and am curious what parts are involved in this upgrade.

-Welder

 

To the best of my knowledge, a noisy steering pump is an indicator of air in the system or worn pump. Is your low-pressure hose leaking?

 

No leaks just the famous ford power steering pump whine.....

-Welder

 

Yup, that's just how they are. Ford power steering pumps are NOISY and WHINY. My wife says my two cats are waiting in front of the door a minute or two before I get there because they recognize the sound of it from way down the street.

What most people do to fix it is to swap it out with a Saginaw power steering pump. They're mostly found on E-series vans of the same year. As far as I know, you need the pump, the bracket, and a new high pressure PS fluid line. Probably can do a search for "saginaw upgrade" for more year specific info.

I'm planning on doing it to mine soon. Over the last couple years of owning it, I've gotten curious as to what my engine actually sounds like.

 

Yeah, the Saginaw swap is a popular fix. I bled my system on my BII (not fun) and it's not noisy. Only time it's noisy is if I turn the wheel while sitting stationary or turn it all the way to the locks. I will tell you this: If there is any 'moisture' present on either hose, there is a 'leak'. Usually, it's the low pressure line that leaks, but I have seen a couple of high pressure lines go the hard way.

 

I found this out the expensive way. Several years ago, right after I put my '82 on the road, the power steering pump was noisy as heck. I bought a new pump and new lines. Spent an afternoon changing it (most of the time spent getting the pulley off of the old pump). Got it all back together and found that the new pump sounded just like the old one. A complete waste of time and money. I will look into the Saginaw swap.

 

Surprised this hasn't been mentioned....wrong fluid will make it whine. My 83 calls for regular PS fluid, not Dexron III.

 

I put the Saginaw on my '91 300 and it is amazing what a diff it makes, not only in cutting down the noise, but also just steers better in tight spots where you are sawing the wheel back and forth. I got mine at Advance Auto Parts, it bolted right up and used the existing hoses (some folks have said the pressure hose needed to be replaced but that was not the case for me).

Here is the thread on this subject: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/6...ering-fix.html

The part number you want is 20-6244.

 

Not so sure about this. I run anything from tractor hydraulic fluid to transmission fluid in mine. Maybe mine just isn't a whiner. Do you think the saginaw pump is more powerful than a ford one?

 

As far as I've heard, the Saginaw is quite a bit more powerful than the stock.

 

Nice! I will indeed look into this swap.

 

It sure *acts* like it is more powerful.

 

My 85 calls for mercon 3 fluid. No clue why. If i use trany fluid it uses a quart a week. Powersteering fluid it uses a pint every two months?

The old timers have always told me that a noisy ford ps pump is good. If they get quiet they are about to go. Argue if you like but I will generaly take a 65 year old mechanic as law.

 

Ford power steering systems are inherently noisy because it is difficult for them to purge air. I've read that pressure bleeding the power steering system will solve the problem, but I've never tried that. I've only had 1 Ford that has been noisy.

 

Ask yourself why they have different specs for the fluid.