My explorer is a whiner!!!!

[DaHeinah]

I'm just wondering if any of you guys have this problem. Is the power steering pump on the first generation Explorers ('92) really loud. The pump is actually louder than the engine itself!! I've checked the fluid and it is exactly where it should be, but it really whines though no grinding sound is present. My brother's '92 X also does the same thing, though my dad's '99 X does not. Do I need to replace the Power steering pump to get rid of this noise or this normal?
Thanks
Greg

 

[BradE.]

Ford PS pumps are loud, they always have been. If it's working O.K. I would not worry about it.

 

[NH25]

You should hear my pump when it is turning my 35's. Its LOUD! They are all loud on the first gen explorers. My Bronco II was the same way.

 

[EliteConcept]

actually they are quite loud on all fords compared to other cars / trucks

 

[DaHeinah]

Thanks, that's what I figured. My old '86 Bronco II had a very quiet power steering pump, which I guess kinda spoiled me but my brother's B2 had a PS pump that makes my X PS look silent .

 

[Ahef]

Yeap, they're loud by nature!

I thought mine had gotten louder recently to discover much of the noise were the bearings in the alternator. They were shot at 70k miles. BTW, they are easy to change out. I rebuilt the alternator with new bearings and carbon brushes for less than $20. A rebuilt alternator is probably 5 to 8 times that.

Bottomline, pop the belt off and spin the alternator. If it isn't quiet, then you getting significant noise from it.

 

[DaHeinah]

Ahef-
Good to know! Thanks for the info. I'm pretty sure that the noise is from the PS pump-wouldn't the alternator noise be more constant or at least intensify with increased throttle? My whine only occurs when turning, though it wouldn't be a bad idea to rebuild the alternator while I'm under the hood. Thanks for the tip.

 

[explorersigmx02]

water pump??

I'm not sure about this, but my mother had a 95 Aerostar with the v-6 and it whined pretty bad. Turned out it was the water pump. I beleive that V-6 is the same one in the first gen. explorer.

 

[ipozestu]

Mine too, my vote goes to loud by nature

 

[Texan01]

The Ford pumps from the 80's to late '90s are noisy as hell compared to every other carmakers. Awhile back I saw an cross at A1-Cardone in the late '90s that had the old style Ford pumps from the '70s that are quiet and had adapted them to the new brackets and fittings to quell the noise. I have not seen that in a long time though, I still had my Chevy and wasn't all that worried about it.