Whine-Moan-scrape from PS when wheel turned

[97tbird]

Hi all,

My car is a 97 4.6L T-bird with variable assist power steering, and as far as I know still has factory PS Fluid (mercon iii) at 97k miles...never been changed.

Since about a week, with engine running and car in park or D while idling, when I move the steering wheel to left or right, I can hear this whining noise, which also is sort of a scraping/moaning noise, clearly audible, but hard to describe; If I turn and hold the wheel at a certain position, the noise also continues. No noises while driving as far as I can tell. Steering effort, and stability are all normal.

also, I noticed that on the 1st start of the day, the noise is louder, or that after the 1st start, I've never heard the noise at all. Always for the 1st time of the day, the noise is there....

What can this be? PS Pump? the belt?
Shall I flush/refill the PS Fluid and see what happens?
Is it ok to use Mercon-V as PS-Fluid? or does it have to be Mercon-III?

Any help/advice is thankfully welcome.

 

[brianl703]

My 1988 Mustang GT has made this noise since I got it at 116,000 miles. It now has 158,000 miles on it.

This noise is apparently "normal", from what I have read.

As far as I know, it should be fine to use Mercon V in your power steering. Ford originally specified Type F, then in 1996 they specified Mercon (without changing anything else).

The only problem I have with the power steering on my 1988 Mustang is that in cold weather it's a bit stiff when it's first started.

I'm going to try Auto-RX on it.

 

[Robbie Alexander]

quote:

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Originally posted by 97tbird:

Since about a week, with engine running and car in park or D while idling, when I move the steering wheel to left or right, I can hear this whining noise, which also is sort of a scraping/moaning noise, clearly audible, but hard to describe
*-*
What can this be? PS Pump? the belt?
Shall I flush/refill the PS Fluid and see what happens?*-*-

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No mechanic here but I have had this before... On another type of car... sounds over the net like it could very well be the pump.
Any leaks?
I have flushed before with both good results and bad. My Toyota Tacoma did this for 220K,
When the original reached 400K ish it started to leak... went another 20K and still groans and leaks a little. Some cars go out faster than others.
If you have to get to the point of replacing it, start with service every 60K or so thereafter, and always keep the proper fluid levels from then onwards... till then, it may be better to just limp along until you need repairs. Your choice, though reflushing could prolong the time to replace, it is still a matter of time if it is the pump.

 

[brianl703]

I think this is just a typical noisy Ford power steering pump.

 

[N2OIL]

Dexron III is GM
Mercron is ford
Mercron V is ford with a 16% synth. blend in it.

A typical pump is not outrageously expensive. But you might try to flush you old system with new fluid of your choosing.

 

[MolaKule]

And make sure the hoses are not porous. Porous hoses suck in air which can cause noises as well.