Really strange steering incident this morning

[jagarundi]

Hello all. This morning on the way to work, I was on the highway driving like I normally do. All of a sudden, I noticed that my steering felt VERY loose! I immediately pull over and pop the hood. When I looked in, I didn't notice anything amiss. The PS fluid was full but I noticed a sort of whiney, whirring sound. When I got back in the truck, while standing still, I moved the wheel from left to right. I heard a VERY LOUD groan when I turned the wheel in both directions. When I pulled back onto the highway, I heard the whirring sound increase as I accelerated and decrease as I decelerated. When traffic slowed, the noise was constant and each turn had a load groan. I pull off of the highway and start to head back home. Just as I'm about to make the turn onto the road leading home, all of a sudden, ALL OF THE NOISE STOPS and steering returns to NORMAL!! I don't have a CLUE as to what the hell the problem is!! :fire: Could someone shed some light on this for me, PLEASE?

 

[00XLS]

Sounds like the power steering pump is on its way out, the groan you heard could of been the pump not pumping but the steering wouldn't get loose it would get tight. I hope someone else chimes in here.

 

[Mbrooks420]

Are the tie rod ends wet?

 

[jagarundi]

Are the tie rod ends wet?

No. I just came back from a quick drive and all is well. I had Ford replace the water pump about 1.5 years ago. What else do you think it could be?

 

[Mbrooks420]

I was thinking that the rack was going. When they go bad they leak out of the ends. The steering getting easier is wierd. Anything I can think of would lead to harder steering.

 

[jagarundi]

I was thinking that the rack was going. When they go bad they leak out of the ends. The steering getting easier is wierd. Anything I can think of would lead to harder steering.

Another thing. Whenever I go over bumps at a slow speed, I get the groaning sound. I had been hearing a 'chirp' up front and that's the same thing I heard when Ford had to change the power steering pump. Would these leaks at the Tie-rods be noticable from looking at the inside of the wheel well?

 

[Mbrooks420]

No, you have to look under the front of the truck. The rack is right in the middle, and will have a rod going to each wheel. It will have an acordian boot on it. It's not the drive axle in the center of the wheel though.

 

[TPLYNCH]

Had you done any quick left/right lock to lock turns? Sometimes that causes air to get into the system and steering get squirrely.

The groaning sound is probably the sway bar bushings. Try lubing them. Just did it on mine and the speed bump groan has gone away.

 

[jagarundi]

No, you have to look under the front of the truck. The rack is right in the middle, and will have a rod going to each wheel. It will have an acordian boot on it. It's not the drive axle in the center of the wheel though.

I know where the tie rods are! I'm wondering if I would notice any leaks by just looking at the ends.

 

[jagarundi]

Had you done any quick left/right lock to lock turns? Sometimes that causes air to get into the system and steering get squirrely.

The groaning sound is probably the sway bar bushings. Try lubing them. Just did it on mine and the speed bump groan has gone away.

Not really. Just some regular manuevering around other cars. Would this air that gets into the system also find it's way out?

 

[TPLYNCH]

Yes it would work its way out

 

[jagarundi]

Yes it would work its way out

I haven't had the problem before or since so should I assume that all is good with my truck?

 

[tonyd12345]

sounds to me like the power steering pump is going.

Tony