So about 2,500 miles ago my steering wheel makesa wooooshing noise when I turn it. It sounds just like a hydrualic steering system on a tractor. It comes through the steering column. It definatly does not sound like a typical pump whine. There's no cracking or poping noises. I changed the fluid about 6K ago with amsoil ATF. I don't know if anyone can relate, but one of the boats I captian has a hydrualic helm pump, it sounds just like that.

I drove 1600 miles in the last couple days and it still does it. I'm kind of nervous that somthing's going to happen when I'm on the highway and I'll loose steering and brakes, especially going through the mountains with no guard rails.

Thanks!

 

I'd try flushing the system and putting synthetic in there...

 

Double check the level?

 

sounds like a possible power steering pump getting ready to fail.

 

Isn't the Amsoil atf synthetic ?? Nolan, i think it is!!

 

I didnt know that i have never bought amsoil anything... Sorry....

 

Still waiting to hear the fluid level is high enough...... After primary fill, you need to cycle the wheels from left to right to work the air out of the system. If you filled it once, then drove off, you would have pushed the air into the resovoir and not known it.....

 

Amsoil is fully synthentic, Yes I did check to make sure it was full, and I did cycle the wheel from side to side. The funny thing is that I changed it before I moved from coast to coast a few months ago. It didn't start making the noise until a week or so ago. It's weird though how the noise comes through the steering column and not under the hood??? It doen't make the wooshing noise until it's under a load. I also have 35" tires if that helps any. Thanks for all the input.

 

Does it also do it when you apply the breaks?

 

Nope, just when I turn the wheel and put a load on it. If I'm driving down the road it usually won't do it, unless I'm stopped and making a turn or a really slow turn.

 

Ide try a flush...if that dont work then i'de guess the pump is on the way out.

Wat year truck? They did change over to a different pump-to-booster hose to quiet things down.

Where did ya get the pump that you replaced?

 

It's a early 99, I didn't change the pump, just the fluid...should of said flushed in my first post in stead of changed. Yea, I blew one of the hoses from the pump to booster, that's why I flushed the fluid the first time. But why would it wait until this long to start making a noise?

I don't really want to replace the pump unless I know for sure that's the problem. I don't really want to get a re-man pump because of issues i've read, and if it's anything like my altinator episode I'd just assume to buy a brand new pump.

 

I would have to say your pump is going bad... There not TOO expensive and pretty easy to change.

Th!nk Parts Guy

 

A brand new pump will run ya $400 knowing its brand new and should last along time, reman from auto stores will run you anywhere from $60-$120 there quality is VERY questionable as I personally found out. Bought 2 napa remans and 1 oriellys reman and all 3 were junk. Then I bought the reman from ford and it even came with a new dipstick for the pump and it works like new. $211.47 but u get $40 for the core back.

Way to test the pump is to use a pump tester, they pretty expensive for just 1-2 times of use and most places dont rent it. It will measure flow and pressure.

IF you do replace the pump I will tell ya to go straight to ford, because I spent $150 just in new Mobile syn when I had to change out all 3 pumps due to them being junk.

Good luck and let us know

 

Well mine made a similar noise, and was very very sluggish at a stop to move the wheel. But the steering, and the noise, was also affected by the brake pressure id put on the brake pedal. Reason I ask, is the same pump works both the steering and brakes.