Seems that my PS pump is creating a huge drag on the engine, turning the wheel causes a racket and the RPMs and voltage to drop. Would it hurt anything to use a shorter belt to bypass the pump until I can replace it?

 

All Ford PS pumps are noisy, you just learn to ignore them.
If the racket is excessive, it's the belt slipping and squealing.
Does the PS still work? Or do you feel it cutting out and the effort to turn the wheel increasing like it's sticking?
If the PS is working, just replace the belt and all will probably be well.

 

It seems to go in and out, also when I come to a stop with the wheels turned the engine seems to struggle a bit and the volt meter drops and the lights dim. The noise is a chattering sound

 

Are you losing fluid or is the level holding?

 

Havent lost a drop

 

They don't tend to fail internally. The noise is most likely Ford PS noise, which is sometimes substantial, especially at full lock. IIRC the PCM is supposed to bump the idle slightly when you operate the PS when not moving, perhaps this feature is malfunctioning or perhaps it doesn't apply to '89s?

If it were mine, I'd just replace the belt and see what happens

 

The belt is just over a year old, but I'll change it tonight and see what happens. I know the Ford PS is always noisy, the Cougar and Grand Marquis were both loud and worked just fine, this one seems to be getting louder though. Rather spend $30 on a belt than $140 on a new pump for no reason. Thanks

 

I have this sticking sensation that seems to not be related to any specific location in the steering travel. I am on my second steering rack in a month, could this sticking feeling be the pump instead? I have no noise and no fluid loss. This is in a 2004 Supercrew, sorry for putting this under the pre-1997 section, but nobody seems to be having the same problem I seem to be having anywhere else in here.