Hey guys, well the issue with the pwr steering is that I have none. I just spent some time reading through a bunch of posts containing the words "power steering pump", and most all of them are about "why is the pwr steering pump so noisy?" I have heard hundreds of Ford pumps and I have to say that the Mustang guys have it the worst.

Anyway, back to the topic: I have heard some belt squeal in the last month or so. Mostly when it is warming up, and only for a short time. Than last week I noticed an "accessory noise". Hard to describe, it is like a whine mixed with a metal "shushing" sound. I checked the pump fluid (mostly brown) and the sound seemed to go away while driving at speed. When I stop it comes back. Now, there is no noise at all, and the truck sounds great at idle. Only problem is there is no pwr steering now. There has been some fluid residue on the lines, pump, and frame around the area ever since I got the truck about a year ago. I am going to assume that the pump is gone and needs replacement....???

Some of my questions are: 1) From reading posts/Haynes, it sounds like there is 1 tool to remove the pulley and a different one to put it back on? 2) Also I am going to assume it is a good idea to replace the lines while I am at it? True? 3) And I believe a good pwr steering flush is in order. I read in the Haynes about a bleeder screw/valve somewhere, but it never goes on to describe it???? Anyone know where it is???? 4) Should I try to flush the system myself or is this one of those things that will never be done right without one of those machines to flush it for you at a lube place? Also, should I flush it before I replace the pump to avoid getting the bad fluid in it? Or is there some other reason why my P/S is not working?

 

Anyone??????

 

To determine if you have a bad pump....

Pump Flow and Pressure Test

WARNING:
Do not touch the flowmeter during the test procedure, or severe burns and serious injury may occur.

1. CAUTION:
Make sure that the connection point will not interfere with any of the engine accessory drive components or drive belts.

Install the Power Steering Analyzer at the high pressure port of the power steering pump. Make sure the power steering analyzer gate valve is fully open.

l On some vehicles, the power steering pump high pressure port is inaccessible and the power steering analyzer should then be installed either at the steering gear or at a point in the high pressure line between the power steering pump and the steering gear.

2. Place a dial thermometer in the power steering pump reservoir.

3. Check the power steering fluid level. If necessary, add power steering fluid.

l Use Motorcraft MERCON® Multi-Purpose ATF XT-2-QDX or MERCON® equivalent.

4. Install a digital tachometer.

5. CAUTION:
Do not hold the steering wheel against the stops for more than three to five seconds at a time. Damage to the power steering pump will occur.

Start the engine. Place the transmission in neutral. Set the parking brake. Raise the power steering fluid temperature to 74-80ºC (165-175ºF) by rotating the steering wheel fully to the left and right several times.

6. Set the engine speed to 1500 rpm. Record the flow rate and pressure readings.

l If the flow rate is below the flow rate specification, the power steering pump may require repair. Continue with the test procedure.

l If the pressure reading is above the maximum pressure specification, then check power steering hoses for kinks and restrictions.

7. Partially close the gate valve to obtain 750 psi. Set the engine speed at idle. Record the flow rate.

l If the flow is less than the specified flow rate, then replace the power steering pump.

8. CAUTION:
Do not allow the gate valve to remain closed for more than 5 seconds.

Completely close and partially open the gate valve 3 times. Record the pressure relief valve actuation pressure reading.

l If the pressure does not meet the relief pressure specification, then replace the power steering pump.

9. Set engine speed to 1500 rpm. Record the flow rate.

l If the flow rate varies more than 3.785 liters/minute (1 gallon/minute) from the initial flow rate reading, then replace the power steering pump.

10. CAUTION:
Do not hold the steering wheel against the stops for more than three to five seconds at a time. Damage to the power steering pump will occur.

Set the engine speed at idle. Turn (or have an assistant turn) the steering wheel to the left and right stops. Record flow rate and pressure readings at the stops.

l The pressure reading at both stops should be nearly the same as the maximum pump relief pressure.

l The flow rate should drop below 1.9 liters/minute (0.5 gallons/minute).

l If the pressure does not reach the maximum pump relief pressure or the flow rate does not drop below the specified value, excessive internal leakage is occurring. Repair or replace the steering gear as necessary; refer to «Section 211-02».

11. Turn (or have an assistant turn) the steering wheel slightly in both directions and release quickly while watching the pressure gauge.

l The pressure reading should move from the normal back pressure reading and snap back as the steering wheel is released.

l If the pressure returns slowly or sticks, the rotary valve in the steering gear is sticking or the steering column is binding. Check the steering column and linkages before servicing the steering gear.

 

And for flushing, purging and filling....


System Flushing

WARNING:
Do not mix oil types. Any mixture or any unapproved oil can lead to seal deterioration and leaks. A leak can ultimately cause loss of fluid, which can result in a loss of power steering assist.

µ 1. Remove the ignition coil fuse to disable the vehicle.

µ 2. Disconnect the power steering return hose. Plug the reservoir.

3. Attach an extension hose between the power steering return hose and an empty container.

4. Raise the front wheels off the floor; for additional information, refer to «Section 100-02».

µ 5. Fill the reservoir.

l Use Motorcraft MERCON® Multi-Purpose ATF XT-2-QDX or MERCON® equivalent.

µ 6. CAUTION:
Do not crank the engine for more than 15 seconds at a time. Allow the starter to cool for 1 minute before cranking again. Premature starter failure can occur.

CAUTION:
Do not hold the steering wheel against the stops for more than three to five seconds at a time. Damage to the power steering pump could occur.

Turn the steering wheel from stop-to-stop while cranking the engine until the fluid exiting the power steering return hose is clear of all contamination and debris.

l Add Motorcraft MERCON® Multi-Purpose ATF XT-2-QDX or MERCON® equivalent as needed.

7. Lower the vehicle.

µ 8. Disconnect the extension hose from the power steering return hose. Remove the plug. Attach the power steering return hose to the reservoir.

µ 9. CAUTION:
Do not overfill the reservoir.

Fill the reservoir.

l Use Motorcraft MERCON® Multi-Purpose ATF XT-2-QDX or MERCON® equivalent.

µ 10. Install the ignition coil fuse.

µ 11. CAUTION:
Do not hold the steering wheel against the stops for more than three to five seconds at a time. Damage to the power steering pump could occur.

Start the engine and turn the steering wheel from stop-to-stop.

µ 12. Note:
If the power steering system is noisy and is accompanied by evidence of aerated fluid it will be necessary to purge the power steering system.

Check the power steering fluid level.


Purging


Special Service Tool(s)


Vacuum Pump
416-D002 (D95L-7559-A) or Equivalent

CAUTION:
If the air is not purged from the power steering system correctly, premature power steering pump failure can result. This condition can occur on pre-delivery vehicles with evidence of aerated fluid or on vehicles that have had steering component repairs.

1. Note:
A whine heard from the power steering pump may be caused by air in the system. The power steering purge procedure must be performed prior to any component repair for which power steering noise complaints are accompanied by evidence of aerated fluid.

Remove the reservoir cap. Check the fluid level. If necessary, fill the reservoir to the correct level.

l Use Motorcraft MERCON® Multi-Purpose ATF XT-2-QDX or MERCON® equivalent.

µ 2. Tightly insert the Vacuum Pump stopper into the reservoir.

3. Start the vehicle.

µ 4. Using the special tool, apply maximum vacuum and maintain it for a minimum of three minutes with the engine speed set at idle.

5. Release the vacuum and remove the special tool.

6. CAUTION:
Do not overfill the reservoir.

Check the fluid level. If necessary, fill the reservoir to the proper level.

l Use Motorcraft MERCON® Multi-Purpose ATF XT-2-QDX or MERCON® equivalent.

µ 7. Reinstall the special tool. Apply and maintain maximum vacuum.

8. CAUTION:
Do not hold the steering wheel against the stops for more than three to five seconds at a time. Damage to the power steering pump will occur.

Cycle the steering wheel fully to the left and right every 30 seconds for approximately five minutes.

9. Stop the engine, release the vacuum, and remove the special tool.

10. Install the reservoir cap.

11. Check for fluid leaks at all of the connections. If the power steering fluid shows signs of air, repeat this procedure.



Fill

µ 1. WARNING:
Do not mix oil types, any mixture or any unapproved oil could lead to seal deterioration and leaks. A leak could ultimately cause loss of fluid, which could result in a loss of power steering assist.

Fill the reservoir.

l Use Motorcraft MERCON® Multi-Purpose ATF XT-2-QDX or equivalent meeting Ford Specification MERCON®.

µ 2. Remove the ignition coil fuse to disable the vehicle.

3. Raise the front wheels off the floor; for additional information, refer to «Section 100-02».

µ 4. CAUTION:
Do not crank the engine for more than 15 seconds at a time. Allow the starter to cool for 1 minute before cranking again. Premature starter failure can occur.

CAUTION:
Do not hold the steering wheel against the stops for more than three to five seconds at a time. Damage to the power steering pump could occur.

Turn the steering wheel from stop-to-stop while cranking the engine.

5. Lower the vehicle.

µ 6. CAUTION:
Do not overfill the reservoir.

Fill the reservoir.

l Use Motorcraft MERCON® Multi-Purpose ATF XT-2-QDX or equivalent meeting Ford Specification MERCON®.

µ 7. Install the ignition coil fuse.

 

Ken00 - As always, thank you again. I am going to have to keep this post marked for reference.

The saga continues and ends (for now):

Well after reading Ken's post and feeling somewhat energetic I headed out to the Ranger (my arch nemesis) for a Sat afternoon battle. I pop the hood to look around and attempt to crank it. I am going to try some of the things Ken suggested and all I get is clicking (dead battery from the alternator not charging the battery ). So I start playing with the pump, and I notice the cap is just a tad off on one side , but this is probably from the other day when I was looking at it before my first post.... Doh! Anyway that is still not the problem so I look down at the pump pulley/belt and I grab it to check if it is tight. The other day when I was under the hood it looked like it was but I didn't touch it, and the truck has not moved. WHAT THE ??????





Does anyone see anything WRONG with this picture??? This is after I had slipped the belt off the pulley.




If you noticed it......









This is what is left of the idller pulley. It would appear that it disintegrated. All that is left is the bearing that was inside. I think I found my "accessory noise". Anyway, pulley replaced, both belts replaced, filled the pump with fluid after draining the old, replaced the starter motor (it was going anyway), and jumped it to get it started. Runs great, and quiet for now...... until we do battle again.

 

I must say that is an interesting problem.

 

Glad you found the problem, never saw that before.

 

Thanks for the support guys. I strive to be different by having the wierdest issues you can imagine.