Power Steering Pump Noise

[autopatch]

Hi -

I have a 1998 2 Dr Explorer Sport V-6 4.0L OHV Manual, and I'm experiencing noise from the Power Steering Pump. The service advisor at my local dealer says that there are no new pumps in the US, and I've called around and done internet searches, and that appears to be the case.

He is also skeptical about the remanufactured pumps as he says the noise doesn't go away 3/4 of the time.

What I'm trying to find out is do other Explorer owners have this problem with Power Steering Pump Noise, and if they have had it, what has been your experience been if you've had yours replaced with either a new or a remanufactured pump.

He also mentioned that he doesn't see air bubbles in the power steering fluid, so he doesn't think that this is related to reports of the noise occuring when the fluid is low.

Any information people can provide would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Chris

 

[Jason_25]

Power steering noise? Have you listened to any other explorer PS pumps? All Ford pumps are pretty loud (and crappy too). If it doesn't sound normal, maybe your truck is subject to a TSB. There is one for the 1998-1999 model years for the PS lines. Do a search on it.

 

[mrboyle]

Ford has had problems with their PS pumps making noise since the '60's. Some pumps are louder than others, but every Ford I have ever seen (or heared) has a PS pump whine. The way I see it, thats how you know the pump is working. If the noise your pump is making is extreemly outragious you may consider having it swapped out, but don't expect the noise to go away, it will just be a little quieter.

 

[Robert]

This reminds me of my Wife's noisy power steering pump on her '93 Mercury Sable. When I was in Singapore for a few weeks, we dropped her car off at our local mechanic to repair a power steering fluid leak. Since my Wife had access to my Explorer for the next three weeks, we told the mechanic that there was no rush on it. My Wife called me a week later to say that they noticed the power steering pump had a "wine" to it so they replaced it. The steering was nice and smooth (when it the fluid didn't leak out) and the noise was there for the year that we had the car. We have now gone through three pumps (all under warranty) since they replaced our noisy pump. All of the ones they put on to replace the noisy pump have had a bad pulsating when turning. As soon as any pressure is put on the steering wheel to turn, it will pulsate in your hands back and forth. I didn't mind the noisy pump as much as the pulsating. I all yours does is make a little noise, don't worry about it. I have also read that Ford pumps are notoriously noisy although my Explorer's is quiet enough that you can't hear it.

 

[410Fortune]

Thats it, if it;s a Ford and it has power steering it has pump whine, No matter what. A new pump will do the same damn thing so dont bother.

You can however service your pump from time to time. There are all sorts of fancy ways to change out the fluid, disconnect a hose, jack up the truck, turn the wheel end to end, yada yada yada. Your best bet is to just use a turkey baster and suck out as much fluid as you can from the resevoir, keep replacing it with fresh fluid and keep sucking it out until it runs clean. sucks some fluid, fill it back up, drive it, suck some fluid, fill it up...etc.....

I change the fluid in my pump about once a year. Get used to the noise, it's not a big deal, it is normal.

Clean fluid can quiet it down a little now and then, oh and the Ford pump on your X is the same Ford pump on almost all Ford cars and trucks, just the pulley for the belt changes..........
so finding a new one should not be hard........