Mechanic didn't tighten the lid on my power steering pump

[Punjab]

I have a '94 LTD and bought a set of the Edelbrock shocks. I was putting them on myself and twisted the shock bolt mount off. So I took it to a mechanic since I figured I might do the same to the other side. He did twist it off and even after he said he soaked it over night. Anyway, I got it back today and drove about 2.5 - 3 miles to my house. Had to make a few turns and each one got progressively louder with a bad whining sound. I knew it had to be the power steering. So I pulled in my driveway and popped the hood and the guy had left the cap to the power steering pump half on/off. There was a little bit of fluid around the engine compartment but when I took the cap off their was still enough fluid inside to come up to the bottom of the fill neck.
First off, I have no friggin clue why the guy was checking my power steering fluid other than maybe he thought he'd be a good mechanic and make sure it was full.
Second, did I ruin it by making a few left and right turns? It was loud enough that I can't imagine it looks pristine inside.
And should I try to get new fluid and fill it up or just go get a new power steering pump?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Willard]

The pumps on these trucks do that. When you turn the steering wheel with the motor off, it likes to build up pressure in the reservoir and pop the cap off exactly as you described.

I would at least fill it up and be sure the cap gets back on. You may want to replace all the fluid though if it got loud like that.

 

[Four0Sport]

i was talking to a ranger owner that came in work the other day and we both agreed that you can always tell when a ford was coming bc you could hear the power steering pump over the engine.

this past winter i had some problems with my ps making noises and sticking during tight turns. i sucked out as much of the old fluid as i could and replaced it with valvoline max life power steering fluid. noise has gone down, fluid is cleaner, wasnt hard at all to do.

 

[Punjab]

Thanks for the replies! I read a few more articles here on the forum and read my owner's manual for what it was worth and just let the pump cool down a bit. Added some Type F automatic trans fluid till it was between the full hot full cool line, waited some more, checked it again and finally went for a drive. Can't hear it anymore than I could before. Drove to work this morning, all seems well.
Now, I just need to fix the drivers side disc caliper. It bangs in and out when I come to a stop light.
Anyone know an easy fix for that?

 

[Four0Sport]

check the shims that hold the caliper to the spindle. remove them, wire brush any and all rust/contaminats on the spindle, clean the shims, coat lightly with anti-seize and reinstall. if the rubber between the shims is coming apart pick up a new set of shims at your local auto parts store.