Power steering issue

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Jul 17, 2007 | 09:19 PM

86stepsideF150

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From: Germantown, MD

Power steering issue

You may have seen my other thread about the engine performance. Here's another problem that needs attention. My power steering will whine all day long. I topped off the fluid, it was a little low, but it whines just the same. It's been a few days since I topped off the fluid, and there is no leak, or noticable leak anyways. Is it the power steering pump? Any advice is appreciated, thanks.

Jul 17, 2007 | 09:28 PM

Franklin2

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From: Virginia

Most later Fords I have been around have a whiny power steering system. It's caused by air in the system, and the dealer has a vacuum thing they can put on it to get all the air out, but it's not easy. Just make sure your suction line to the pump is in good shape, or it will suck air into the system.

Jul 17, 2007 | 09:46 PM

86stepsideF150

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From: Germantown, MD

Am I damaging the system by driving it like this? It sounds awful.

Jul 18, 2007 | 08:30 AM

Franklin2

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From: Virginia

No, it's just aggravating. Take the cap off the pump, and run the steering full left to right with the engine running a couple of times and see if that helps, and like I said, make sure the suction line does not have a small leak.

Jul 18, 2007 | 05:39 PM

86stepsideF150

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From: Germantown, MD

Is that just a hose that goes to the pump?

Jul 18, 2007 | 08:25 PM

86stepsideF150

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From: Germantown, MD

There's a hose that goes to the pump reservoir, I assume this is what you're talking about. Well, it, along with the pump + reservoir are coated with this black ****. It guess it's leaking.

Jul 18, 2007 | 09:52 PM

netscaner

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From: Solon, Ohio

I had a guy tell me that he was told to add about an ounce or two of regular STP oil treatment to the fluid and it fixes the noisey old fords. Said he had done it a year earlier and that all was fine ever since.

Also, there was recently a thread in the 1987-1996 forum just above this one concerning someone finding a certain pump (Non Ford) at I believe Advanced Auto which fixes this problem.