Hi all,

I have an 01 F150 4wd and am having some problems with my power steering. I got the truck last year and started noticing the power steering would whine when I was turning at lower speeds (maybe at higher speeds but probably didn't hear it).

After a few months, I decided to go ahead and replace the pump and high pressure line. Got a rebuilt pump from Autozone. This was in Feb.

Anyway, the noise didn't go away so I thought I might just live with it. However, last weekend the pump failed and started leaking badly from the front seal. Got a replacement under warranty and put it in. Noise is still there. Sounds like the pump still but now that this is the second one I've put in I'm starting to think it may be the gearbox?

Any suggestions???

Thanks!!

 

I did the same thing....it is a FORD though, so expect a whine in your power steering.....check your PC valve this is all it was on mine, just a little vaccum boot and line

 

OK - you got me. What is a PC valve? I didn't think the power steering used vacuum...

 

positive crankcase ventilation valve...PCV valve...sorry missed the v...simply just a hose and a boot that go from the intake manifold to the valve cover usually.....nothing to do with power steering....however this part is often overlooked and will dry rot and cause the whine you were mentioning at lower speeds....this is what is was for me, i mis diagnosed it and replaced my perfectly good power steering pump

 

OK - I thought that might be what you were talking about. Anyway, it definitely related to the PS. I only hear the noise when I turn the wheel. Otherwise it's fairly quiet - no other noise.
Any other ideas before I buy a gearbox???

 

Thats how it was with mine...thats why i mis diagnosed it....i would just try it...its like 10 bucks max and will take you five minutes...OR its just a FORD and the power steering is infamous for the whine...I LOVE FORD, but that is just a common thing

 

OK - for $10 it can't hurt. I'll try it out and let you know. Thanks for the update.

 

Quick update. Sorry - not the PCV valve. I installed a new one and the noise is still present - only when I turn the steering wheel. I guess I'll buy a new gearbox.

 

Ford pumps have always been loud. that's why some of us have exhaust

 

Hi - I appreciate the comments. However, in my 03 F-150 the pump wasn't noisy at all. Unfortunately I crashed the 03 and got the 01 just to replace it on the cheap.

My main concern is that the replacement pump I installed in Feb failed after les than 3 months. I don't want to get stuck somewhere and have the pump fail again.

I ordered a rebuilt steering gear and will replace it and the Pitman / idler arms in the next few weeks. Will update then...

 

What are you using for fluid? It requires Mercon V ATF. If you are taking the system apart, flush it.

 

was the pump bench bled?

 

Hi - yup, Mercon V ATF. I didn't bench bleed the pump - not sure how. I followed the pump mfgr intructions on how to bleed the pump by turning the wheels stop to stop. I got the new steering gear but haven't intalled it yet. Once I do I'll definitely flush the system.

 

Mine sounds like an old creaking wood door when I drive around in parking lots, drives me batty sometimes. I can hear the noise bouncing off stuff like cars and even the walls on the buildings.

 

So I finally got around to installing the new steering gear. I also put in another PS pump, pitman arm, idler arm and new high pressure hoses. I took a bit longer than I thought but overall went OK.

I pulled out the old PS pump, took off the hoses and then tackled the pitman and idler arms. I found out that I didn't have a big enough socket for the pitman arm nut but a pair of channel locks and a cheater bar helped. The only problem I had was getting the sttering shaft coupling off and on to the new gearbox. It lined up OK but was a tight fit. Got the idler arm and pitman arm in the center link and torqued.

I bled the PS pump and topped off the reservoir. Pulled a vacuum on the PS reservoir and turned the wheel stop to stop about 10 times, then filled again and repeated 3x (wheels off the ground and engine off). Used about 1.5 quarts Mercon V. Should have gotten all the air out of the system.

Put all back together and started up. No noise that I can hear. Also now pulled vac on the reservoir again while running and turned wheel stop to stop another 10 times or so.

Test drive was good no noises and no leaks. The only problem now is the steering wheel is off center. I know it didn't move since I had the seat belt wrapped around it as not to damage the clockspring. Any ideas on why the steering wheel changed?? Didn't even touch the tie rods and the idler and pitman arms went back into the center link just like before. I'll take it in for an alignement tomorrow and see if that helps.

Thanks!