Ok guys, I've searched the past threads for an answer to this but nothing seems to match my symptoms. When I first start up the truck each day I'm getting a growling noise from the driverside engine compartment. I have usually come to associate the sound with Ford's rack and pinion systems. The problem is that not only does the sound level increase upon turning the steering wheel but it's also increases when pressure is applied to the brakes. For the first 10 minutes of driving this is loud enough to give you a headache. Then the growling seems to become barely perceptable (normal) for the rest of the day.

My brain would like to think it's the power steering pump causing the noise but the brakes compound the issue. How are these inter-connected?

Any ideas?

 

This happened to me the same time I had my batteries replaced on my X. You may have a leak somewhere, so 10 to 1 you're probably low on power steering fluid. When I took my X into the dealership they said I was low on PS fluid. They filled it up and it was just fine. If it's not that, then you probably need a new box.

 

Jlower...doesn't that use a hydraboost which uses the PS pump to assist the brakes ( instead of the normal brake booster)? That would be the connection you seek.

 

I have been reading a few threads about the Hydrabooster and that seems the closest thing to a culprit so far. It is a little Ironic, The 36,000 warranty went about 60 miles ago. I'm going to try Toreador_Diesel's suggestion first, maybe go so far as to completly replace the PS fluid.

 

Yeah, thats where I'd start too. Don't you love how good they got that mileage thing worked out. I blew the motor in my van 20 miles over the warranty.

 

Ok guys, I've found the culprit.
I started the engine cold and cranked on the brakes and steering to listen and find the source of the sound. Bingo! It is from the hydro-booster. The other thing I happened to noticed was that there was a small froth of bubbles in the PS reservoir. I got on the phone with the local ford dealer and they wanted $460 for the part plus labor. (I just had back surgery 4 weeks ago and can't risk trying to do the repair myself yet.) So I called a local diesel shop and it turns out that they had just done the same work a few days before. The odd part was the mechanic asked about the reservoir froth. He told me to check the rubber hose that connects the reservoir to the metal line leading to the Hydrobooster. He said he had a rash of this problem over the last year or so. I did check and it turns out that the hose had a very small crack, facing away from me, that was allowing air to enter the system. As I drove along the engine was then heating the rubber enough for the hose to expand and seal the crack. It took $2.00 worth of hose and some PS fluid and now the growl has changed back to that lovely diesel purr.
Might be a nice item to tuck into the forum members' bag of tricks.

P.S. I'm still not real sure why I wasn't seeing any evidence of a fluid leak. There was just hint of fluid around the crack in the hose and a very small amount congealing on the bottom of the PS pump reservoir, but not in the parking space here or at work. I only noticed it by brushing the bottom of the pump with my hand). Any one want to take a shot at that one?