power Steering whinning
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 6,948
Likes: 44
Typically when pumps whine, it is because they are starved for good fluid. Cavitation can be the cause of such starvation.
Air in the system can cause this symptom. Air can be introduced in a number of ways. Once is to use fluids that are not compatable. As the fluids try to seperate, they leave vital components without lubrication and this creates a whine. Soon failure will also result.
Second, and just as common is the age of the fluid. Old fluid with many suspended solids, as well as plain old contaminated and tired old fluid will also cause the whine.
This is because the fluid no longer has the anti foaming ability. This foam is air. Cavitation is,,,,,,,,,, air.
Whine is due to air. Get rid of the air and the pump will run fairly silent.
Air in the system can cause this symptom. Air can be introduced in a number of ways. Once is to use fluids that are not compatable. As the fluids try to seperate, they leave vital components without lubrication and this creates a whine. Soon failure will also result.
Second, and just as common is the age of the fluid. Old fluid with many suspended solids, as well as plain old contaminated and tired old fluid will also cause the whine.
This is because the fluid no longer has the anti foaming ability. This foam is air. Cavitation is,,,,,,,,,, air.
Whine is due to air. Get rid of the air and the pump will run fairly silent.
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,232
Likes: 3
From: NE Texas
IMHO it would be worth the trouble and money to flush and bleed the system.
Get four quarts of power steering fluid. You did not say what model. If it's a 97 or newer you can use ATF, don't risk it on earlier models however, even though the manual calls for it. ATF changed in the nineties.
Draw the fluid from the reservoir.
Disconnect the return line from the reservoir and lower it into a drain pan.
Plug the reservoir hose connection from which you disconnected the hose.
With two quarts of fresh fluid bottles opened have an assistant start the engine and be ready to stop it when you signal.
Start pouring in the fluid and as son as it is all gone from the reservoir, signal the assistant to stop the engine.
Reconnect the return line to the reservoir and fill reserevoir.
Have assistant restart engine and begin turning the steering wheel lock to lock as you feed it fluid until full.
If the noise was due to debris, this will fix it. DO NOT get the bright idea to use solvent for the flushing rather than fresh fluid!
Good luck,
Get four quarts of power steering fluid. You did not say what model. If it's a 97 or newer you can use ATF, don't risk it on earlier models however, even though the manual calls for it. ATF changed in the nineties.
Draw the fluid from the reservoir.
Disconnect the return line from the reservoir and lower it into a drain pan.
Plug the reservoir hose connection from which you disconnected the hose.
With two quarts of fresh fluid bottles opened have an assistant start the engine and be ready to stop it when you signal.
Start pouring in the fluid and as son as it is all gone from the reservoir, signal the assistant to stop the engine.
Reconnect the return line to the reservoir and fill reserevoir.
Have assistant restart engine and begin turning the steering wheel lock to lock as you feed it fluid until full.
If the noise was due to debris, this will fix it. DO NOT get the bright idea to use solvent for the flushing rather than fresh fluid!
Good luck,
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otto
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
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Feb 1, 2001 09:33 AM
