Hey guys my 03 screw FX4's power steering pump seems loud when I first start driving. I know fords have loud pumps and I'm used to it in my old truck, but it seems to have gotten worse lately in my 03. Colder weather maybe? Is there any kind of additive I can use to make it quieter and last longer. Lucas has something I think, I've also heard of a Ford Oil Additive.
Has any one ever had any luck with additives??

 

How about changing the power steering fluid, would that help?

 

is it the annoying squeeling on cold morning startups?? my 96 crown vic does that but then it goes away after 5 minutes. my superduty is quiet tough. changing the fluid wont hurt but..not sure if that will cure it.

 

No it doesn't squeal, Its just a loud hum or whining noise. Maybe its normal, I can just hear it more if I'm pulling out out of the driveway, (turning and hitting the gas).

 

The two most neglected systems/fluids in a vehicle. How many people you know ever completely change their brake fluid or power steering fluid? And I do mean change all of it. Yes, great idea to completely change all the fluid. I flushed mine out with Amsoil ATF and what a noticeable difference it makes. Give it a try. It certainly won't hurt anything.

 

Will do man. It can't hurt anything, and the more I drive it Im sure its just FORD noises. O well maybe flowmasters will drown it out.

 

I also recommend a power steering fluid change. Amsoil synthetic ATF works great

 

Heck I must be an oddball...I change my brake fluid every so often. It's really easy if there's no air in the system. Just remove/replace the brake fluid in the reservoir and open the bleeder valves with a clear hose attached. When the fluid comes out clean, tighten the valve and move on to the next wheel.

But changing the power steering fluid? My manuals never mention doing this. You probably get 70%+ just changing the fluid in the reservoir. The owner's manual says use Mercon, never Mercon V.

 

O'Reileys had Valvoline Mercon/Dextron III ATF on for $2.50 so I splurged....

I just sucked out as much fluid as possible from the reservoir with a syringe-and-hose. Reading the bottle after I refilled the reservoir I note that it takes about 320 cc (9 oz). This is much easier than any kind of "purging" I could have attempted, and a quart bottle of ATF lets you refill the reservoir with fresh fluid 3 times. I'll have to give it a go twice more in the next few months.

The old fluid was still pink in color and not brownish: however, it did smell "burnt" to my nose when comparing it to the new bottle of ATF. This is for 70,000 miles on the original factory fill.

A test drive is always subjective: we'd like to feel a change for the better. But it did seem smoother at turning. After warming it up well I rolled down the window to listen and went around some sharp turns in my neighborhood. The small squeeky noise had all gone away, which previously was there near lock.