Steering Wheel Making Loud Noise

[tiffanytaylor]

Hi My name is Tiffany. I apologize if this is already posted somewhere. When I turn my steering wheel it makes a loud noise. The power steering fluid is full. I had this issue a while ago, and a mechanic neighbor of mine did something neat to make the noise stop, but I cannot remember what he did. He moved so I cannot ask him, so I am wondering if someone would know this trick. I remember he mentioned putting STP somewhere, and whatever he did, it worked. I cannot recall if he said to put a little STP in the power steering fluid? I just was wondering if anyone would know this trick or if there is something else I can do to fix it?

Also, my brake light is showing all the time. My parking break is not on, but the brake light shows. Is that a transmission thing? I replaced the tranmission already.

 

[bobflood]

Hi Also, my brake light is showing all the time. My parking break is not on, but the brake light shows. Is that a transmission thing? I replaced the tranmission already.

Most likely your bake fluid level in the master cylinder reservoir is low. It's on the driver's side of the firewall in the engine compartment. Top it off and the light should go out. good luck.

 

[shoalcreek5]

Is the loud noise kind of like a whine or groan sound? Or is it a popping sound or maybe a clanking sound?

If it's a whine or groan, it could be air in your power steering system or low power steering fluid. Also, a lot of Fords have problems with power steering pumps becoming noisy as they age.

To solve a whine or groan, you can check the power steering fluid level. If it's low, add power steering fluid to the pump. If that doesn't quiet it down, then you can bleed the power steering system to try and remove any air. If that also doesn't work, your pump is probably just getting old. If it's old, there are things you can add that will help it run quieter. I just let my old pump groan, so I can't really recommend anything.

If the noise is a clanking or popping sound, you need to replace a cv joint or some other mechanical component. Clanking and popping sounds should be fixed as soon as you can have it done. You don't want that stuff falling apart under your car as you drive down the road.

Also, clanking and popping sounds can be caused by engaging the 4-wheel drive on roads where you have plenty of traction without 4-wheel drive. It causes the drive train to bind up, especially on turns, and then the binding pressure releases suddenly with a loud clank or pop. When that happens, chances are you've ruined something. Doing this can cause a clanking sound every time you turn even when the 4x4 is not engaged.