tdubs329
New Member
- Joined
- June 13, 2018
- Messages
- 4
- Reaction score
- 1
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 2004 Mountaineer AWD V8
Hi everyone, this is my first post on this forum. I was wondering if someone could point me in the right direction with an issue my father-in-law is having with his 2004 Mountaineer 4.6L AWD. This is actually two issues, but I'm not sure if they are related.
The first issue has to do with the steering. It feels like when turning the steering wheel the power steering cuts in and out at points. I would estimate that it's about ever 1/8 - 1/4 turn of the steering wheel it feels like there is a bump you have to push through, and the wheel will not straighten itself out when coming out of a turn. I first noticed the difference in pressure needed to turn the wheel when I borrowed about a month ago, but the steering issue was VERY subtle then, barely noticeable. I also think it would return to center back then. He told me that over the last few weeks it got a little worse so he brought it to a shop and they told him they replaced his power steering pump and when he picked it up it was a lot worse. When looking at it today I'm not sure they actually replaced the pump, the label on the pump was covered in grime, but it did look like fluid had been drained since there was a bunch of fluid on the frame below where the pump sits. The reservoir also looks like someone spilled fluid all over it while filling it up. The fluid looks clear red when I took a little out with a turkey baster. I tried to bleed the system using this write-up How to easily remove air from your power steering pump & steering rack , but it didn't seem to have much effect, there did seem to be some air in the system though since I saw burping when removing the stopper while the car was running.
The second issue is a humming noise that's noticeable at all driving speeds, and seems to sync with the speed of the vehicle (not RPM dependent, and if I drop it in neutral while rolling and hit the gas there is no change). The noise is there at all times when the vehicle is in motion, and gets worse the faster you go. It does stop when turning right though, but not when turning left. I can feel a slight vibration in the steering wheel and possibly the peddles, almost like when closing a zip tie. I have a clip of the noise here and you can see toward the beginning and end when I get on and off the highway the noise cuts out while I'm in the turn, but comes back when I straighten the wheel out. Do you think this would be a bad wheel bearing?
If anyone could point me in the right direction to get this resolved it would be greatly appreciated. It looks like the place he brought it to might have screwed him over with the pump, and I don't want to see him dump money into chasing ghosts.
()
The first issue has to do with the steering. It feels like when turning the steering wheel the power steering cuts in and out at points. I would estimate that it's about ever 1/8 - 1/4 turn of the steering wheel it feels like there is a bump you have to push through, and the wheel will not straighten itself out when coming out of a turn. I first noticed the difference in pressure needed to turn the wheel when I borrowed about a month ago, but the steering issue was VERY subtle then, barely noticeable. I also think it would return to center back then. He told me that over the last few weeks it got a little worse so he brought it to a shop and they told him they replaced his power steering pump and when he picked it up it was a lot worse. When looking at it today I'm not sure they actually replaced the pump, the label on the pump was covered in grime, but it did look like fluid had been drained since there was a bunch of fluid on the frame below where the pump sits. The reservoir also looks like someone spilled fluid all over it while filling it up. The fluid looks clear red when I took a little out with a turkey baster. I tried to bleed the system using this write-up How to easily remove air from your power steering pump & steering rack , but it didn't seem to have much effect, there did seem to be some air in the system though since I saw burping when removing the stopper while the car was running.
The second issue is a humming noise that's noticeable at all driving speeds, and seems to sync with the speed of the vehicle (not RPM dependent, and if I drop it in neutral while rolling and hit the gas there is no change). The noise is there at all times when the vehicle is in motion, and gets worse the faster you go. It does stop when turning right though, but not when turning left. I can feel a slight vibration in the steering wheel and possibly the peddles, almost like when closing a zip tie. I have a clip of the noise here and you can see toward the beginning and end when I get on and off the highway the noise cuts out while I'm in the turn, but comes back when I straighten the wheel out. Do you think this would be a bad wheel bearing?
If anyone could point me in the right direction to get this resolved it would be greatly appreciated. It looks like the place he brought it to might have screwed him over with the pump, and I don't want to see him dump money into chasing ghosts.
()
