Odd power steering noise

Topic: Odd power steering noise (Read 2082 times) previous topic - next topic

Odd power steering noise

August 04, 2009, 04:09:11 PM

Hey, Earlier this week I noticed a new noise in the engine bay.
When I rev the motor from its oh, say, 700RPM idle, I hear a light "clunk", and then nothing until the RPM comes back down and I do it again. I thought it was the Smog pump, so I took that off(Turns out it was screwed too, apparently they don't like eating belt dust.) and got a shorter belt(79") but I still have the clunk, and standing next to it with my hand on the throttle, I am almost positive that is what it is coming from. So, I guess my questions are;
1) Have any of you ever heard that sound from a pump?
2)Does it mean imminent failure?
3) How do I determine which pump I need? I have REALLY responsive and easy steering and do NOT want to lose it.

Odd power steering noise

Reply #1 – August 04, 2009, 04:43:20 PM

I've never heard that kind of noise from a steering pump,only the famous Ford "whine" from them.LOL.But it could happen I suppose.Pull the belt from the steering pump,and turn the pulley with your hand and see if anything feels loose or "wrong".If so,a new pump is easy to install and doesn't cost that much.Mine has a lifetime warranty,and any time I remotely feel like something is wrong with it,I swap it right there in the Autozone parking lot,and they even remove the pulley and install it for me.Can't beat that.

Odd power steering noise

Reply #2 – August 04, 2009, 06:16:28 PM

This might seem a stupid question, but are you sure it's not the A/C compressor kicking on and off?

Odd power steering noise

Reply #3 – August 04, 2009, 07:17:19 PM

Heh, yes, I was in the engine compartment while it was making the noise, and although the compressor does bother me at this point(The clutch was slipping a bit when the AC is on at idle, and seemed to be wobbling?), it was not trying to engage at that time.

Odd power steering noise

Reply #4 – August 04, 2009, 07:36:31 PM

Try flushing your pump out with auto trans fluid. Could be some gunk that built up in there and is stuck to something.

Odd power steering noise

Reply #5 – August 04, 2009, 08:18:37 PM

Have any of you ever noticed your pumps to have front/back play in them? As in, you can push/pull on the pulley and it moves? I think that is what is happening, when the revs go up, it lightly snaps the pulley side to side(looking down on the pulley from drivers side fender.

Anyone else have experience with this?

P.S. It is probably due for a fluid change Carl.

Odd power steering noise

Reply #6 – August 04, 2009, 09:15:53 PM

Quote from: vinnietbird;285236

Mine has a lifetime warranty,and any time I remotely feel like something is wrong with it,I swap it right there in the Autozone parking lot,and they even remove the pulley and install it for me.Can't beat that.

You suck. I tried that and autozone refused to do the pulleys. I've asked 3 different ones in Washington with the same answer. I have to take it back home and use the air tools on the thing instead. How is it easy anyhow? The bracket needs to be yanked and I have to be careful due to its finish that we spent so long on...Any "easy change" tips for this thread?!

My pump does not move at all though - that may very well be the issue. I also had an Autozone pump that had no play but lasted all of 1,000 miles before grenading internally when I got on the gas. I didn't put another back in after that incident - went Acdelco instead. Noisier than the Autozone one but good so far.

I don't think a pump change will affect your steering. Now the rack and pinion on the other hand - I put a NAPA one in and it takes more effort to turn but it also has all new parts up front, without slop. I feel this thread will lead to replacement ps pump.

Lastly, try running it cold without a belt? Rev it and see what happens, just to make 100% sure.

Odd power steering noise

Reply #7 – August 04, 2009, 10:38:59 PM

Ok, I wasn't sure on the pump change out as I read conflicting statements about them having two different pumps to go with the two different racks.

I will definitely try it without the belt before I go changing it out. On a side note, there was a nifty PS pump w/ non-AC bracket at the junkyard the other day, any ideas on getting the pulley off in a yard so I could snag that bracket?

Odd power steering noise

Reply #8 – August 04, 2009, 10:43:20 PM

Rent the puller from the parts store. I think I have one that I'm now stuck with (over 3 months...). It is a huge pain to use though, especially on the vehicle.

So where exactly are you at in Beaverton and where do you move around to? I work in Tigard next to Landmark Ford so if you're in the area, you're welcome to borrow it. Also, which yard? I've been bored the last few weeks and could use something to do while continuing to put off the rearend install (brakes/parking cables I fear) :p

Odd power steering noise

Reply #9 – August 04, 2009, 11:23:00 PM

Did You rent a puller and forget to return it? Next to Landmark?! I was just there last week, picking up a pulley I had to wait three days for! Speak of the devils, I should probably tighten up my E-Brake :)
I was at the....Tigard U-Pull-It, which has REALLY slim pickings for Aerobirds. Actually, I think I only saw 1-3, and I think they were all Mid-Late 80's cougars(No radio bezel for me). I was hoping to find a 5-Speed stang to steal pedals from, but no dice, the three there were all autos.

I actually have Trac-Loc rearend hanging out, but it needs different gears and a rebuild.

I routinely move between Beaverton and Wilsonville, but I-5 and 205 are no strangers. Did you see the speed trap by Terwilliger Curve the other day? There must've been five motorcycles all lined up just around the corner, waiting to get someone.

Odd power steering noise

Reply #10 – August 04, 2009, 11:31:10 PM

I did not see any speed traps - probably before/after my commute. I work from 7-4 but also had the first three days of last week off.

I did rent the puller and was too busy to get to the pump for awhile. By the time I was done, 4 months had passed. This also happened with a $125 radiator pressure tester - I have one of them in the garage now too!

I do need to get to a yard to pull some rotary hvac controls and cabling from a Taurus/Sable as the web hasn't been the best for finding these parts without enough harness attached. The rearend is the manual/3.55 87/88 TC with calipers that are still good enough with some minor rebuilding (have spare new ones on hand just in case). My stock rear has made noise since the early 90's.

Anyways, if you need to use the puller, just let me know and I'll bring it with me to work. I've got no use for the thing anytime soon (had to get my NEW dead pump replaced in a shop as I was stranded on the road with no power steering and an old rack - have myself a 5 year warranty on it now and free towing if I have a problem with it again). Sometimes shops "can" be useful, just not often.

Odd power steering noise

Reply #11 – August 05, 2009, 12:38:22 AM

Uh oh, that's what I just picked up, is the rotary conversion, although I need to go back to get a new cable, since I F'd it up. Guess I'd better do that pr0nto :D BTW, Be prepared to pay $20 for that stupid panel. And find a 91 Sable, the 92 is all electric
Free towing from a shop? That sounds pretty awesome to me!Usually when I try to take mine to a shop they can't get to it fast enough, so I end up doing it myself :)
I will definitely let you know about the puller when I'm ready. Thanks for the offer.

Heh, I already know where my radiator leak is! I just need to fix/replace it. :D

Odd power steering noise

Reply #12 – August 05, 2009, 12:48:19 AM

Radiators are fun as well. It took forever to get my new 3 core radiator to stop leaking in places - kept tightening the hose clamps more and more, along with the transmission lines, until they stopped. I felt as if I was about to tear a hole in the aluminum and put dents in the hose fittings. What a nightmare installing that and modifying a mark viii fan was - that 5.0L water pump pulley is nothing but a headache.

Is there a problem with your cable or is it different or something? I stock cable should be able to be used also, at least on the later fox bodies.

I really don't want to know how much excess cash and time I've spent on this thing, including gas or train costs to get to and from Seattle when it had no drivetrain. At least it should last another 20 years as long as we don't get fee'd out of our minds due to how dirty our motors are compared to today's standards.

Odd power steering noise

Reply #13 – August 05, 2009, 01:57:53 AM

Yeah, I noticed that beast of a radiator you put in there, had cooling issues did you? I used a mustang electric fan, and just had to add three brackets, pretty straightforward.
I installed an aftermarket Trans cooler, and had custom SS braided lines made, with JIC fittings on both ends(Basic guarantee it won't leak) So no problems there, although the F'n Band adjustments decided to start leaking(C-5 3 Speed)

I wasn't sure if the stock cable would work, I just had it confirmed actually in another thread that the stock one does work so I can go ahead and do that....

AFTER I FIGURE OUT WHY THE POS WOULD NOT STOP CRANKING!!!!
I get in it tonight, to make a quick run somewhere, get in, turn key, ok, a little belt squeal(Just removed Smog pump), but it's still cranking, cycle ignition, rev motor, no dice. Pop the hood, WHILE IT"S STILL CRANKING, and reach into the dark engine bay and RIP the positive cable off the battery.
Whew, that was nerve racking. So either I need new solenoid(recently replaced), starter, or keyswitch. I LOVE IT!

Odd power steering noise

Reply #14 – August 05, 2009, 09:18:07 AM

Eh, easy enough to figure out with a multimeter and some jumper wires.

I didn't have cooling problems but wanted something larger so that the electric fan would run less and put less drain on my alternator. Efficiency has always been my goal with everything I do. My car gets decent fuel economy, the stereo in my car has class d amps, my home system has 102db/1w speakers, my a/c in the car has a 97 cobra condenser, my home a/c has a SEER rating of 12.6, my HID headlights draw 35w rather than 55w like the halogens, etc. It's what I do