96 XLT 5.0 - belt whine, steering pump?

[ejscarfo]

So for the past couple of weeks, since its gotten cold actually, I'm hearing a whine from the engine. Its only there when the truck is cold. Its definitely a belt related noise so I checked the condition of the belt and the pulleys, all look fine. I checked the level of the power steering fluid and its full. I have little to no power assist at idle though so I am thinking the noise is the pump on its way out. Once the truck warms up the noise stops and the steering is normal at idle. Any ideas guys? If its the pump, how hard of a job is it? I know the pumps are cheap, but usually the cheaper the part, the more involved the job is.

Any help is appreciated.

 

[AngelzExplorer]

what about your ac belt? or compressor

 

[spacecadebt]

I just replaced my PS pump on my 5.0 a couple days ago. Not to hard of a job. The only thing that gave me trouble was the hight pressure line on the top of the pump, that SOB was torqued on there.

Tip: Make sure you loosen the belts on your pulley before take the belt off

 

[ejscarfo]

what about your ac belt? or compressor

There's one belt and its fine, almost new, and tight. I thought it might be the compressor at first, but a bad compressor wouldn't affect the power steering, would it? My A/C is shot anyway and I was thinking of just bypassing the compressor with a shorter belt. Anyone ever do that?

 

[ejscarfo]

I just replaced my PS pump on my 5.0 a couple days ago. Not to hard of a job. The only thing that gave me trouble was the hight pressure line on the top of the pump, that SOB was torqued on there.

Tip: Make sure you loosen the belts on your pulley before take the belt off

What was the problem with your pump? Same thing I'm experiencing or something else?