I have a 98 Mazda B2500 (Ford Ranger) 100k miles with a noisy steering pump. The pump is loud (whine) like it's under strain. It's louder when turning. I know ford pumps are notorious for being loud. I've flushed the pump and replaced the fluid with castrol atf dextron III/mercon. Same stuff I've put in the tranny. I've purged the system via the ford service instructions. And I've replaced the pump with a rebuilt pump from napa and that didn't help. Could the steering rack be causing this?

Just bought the truck and I'm replacing all the fluids.

 

you know what stuff i use for my older cars..... i restore/repair a lot of cars in ght 50's-70's and a lot have worn power steering pumps..... go get some LUCAS power steering stop leak...... also used to restore the pump..... QUIETS things down tremendously and well worth the 8-10 bux.... dont run it PURE lucas...... mix it somewhat about 50/50....

really will quiet things down

JOe

 

I've used Slick50 Power Steering Formula on many cars with great success.

 

i was just thinking though.... the cars i usually experiance with whiney P/S pumps are at LEAST 10-15 years old...... kinda odd yours is doing it while it is so young.... good luck

Joe

 

Thanks for the replies... After talking with my dad (a darn good mechanic) I believe there may be restriction somewhere. Perhaps the control valve. I gonna try backflushing the system.

Note: When I first changed the fluid it was nasty. (i.e. the best way to avoid repairs is to keep all the fluids fresh)

I tried the Lucas conditioner/stop leak... Interesting stuff and it did help a bit. But it's still loud.

Thanks again...

 

I replaced the old pump which was leaking and had apparently been run dry by the previous owner with a rebuilt and new lines. The rebuild whines as well but not as bad as the old one. I might pump some fluid out and put in some Lucas conditioner and see how it sounds.

 

My '86 beater has been whining for the 2-1/2 years I've had it. I just turn the radio up a little louder...

 

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I'm lucky I dont have power steering on mine.

 

I don't know if i would say lucky, haha. I dont miss the days of parrelel parking in my bosses 86 ford ranger with no power steering, that truck was a beater and a half.

 

the only thing worse than no power steering is trying to turn once you're goes out. Now that's a way to build some arm strength......or dislocate a shoulder

 

You mean like after you go down a flooded street in an old truck and then you go to turn and the belt just slips and the power steering just plain doesnt work for about a minute. I hates surprises like that.

 

or when some old car your friend wants you to look at stalls out on you and you've got power nothing and impending death in the form of traffic/a guardrail/a ditch. Yeah that's the crappiest. I've never had the wetness problem, but come to think of it maybe some splashguards are in order

 

I flat out dont mind the lack of power steering. it could be much worse too, like having to steer a semi without power steering.