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steering noise on windstar


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randyrubley
New User

Aug 4, 2010, 9:36 AM

Post #1 of 7 (3501 views)
steering noise on windstar Sign In

Mad My wifes van is a 1999 ford windstar with a 3.8 engine. It started making a growling noise last week so she took it in and the mechanic filled the reservoir a little and it helped for maybe 30 miles, then the sound came back worse than ever. Growling and whining when the wheel is turned. I took it apart last weekend and replaced the power steering pump and that was a trip since there is no room to work under the hood. there does not seem to be any leaking going on, and it was better again for about 30 miles. Now its growling again and gets worse the further you turn the wheel.
Any ideas?


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Aug 4, 2010, 10:46 AM

Post #2 of 7 (3496 views)
Re: steering noise on windstar Sign In

Are you finding low on fluid? Leak may not be seen so easy or even leaking out of the boots of the rack and pinion.

Can you pin point just exactly where the noise is from? If pump is full (or reservoir to it) and it's making the noise AFTER having been quiet than it may have a problem returning fluid from the rack,

T



randyrubley
New User

Aug 4, 2010, 11:27 AM

Post #3 of 7 (3492 views)
Re: steering noise on windstar Sign In

Pirate I just called another repair center who suspects it is the Rack and said the windstar is notorious for
this problem. They just replaced one last week for $500. ouch! I don't think I will tackle it myself though
because it sounds difficult. Thank you for getting back with me.


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Aug 4, 2010, 1:26 PM

Post #4 of 7 (3489 views)
Re: steering noise on windstar Sign In

Yes - these and others are known for eating racks up. There's a ton of heat under those which IMO is real hard on ps fluid. Try to go synthetic as I swear it tolerates the heat better,

T



randyrubley
New User

Aug 13, 2010, 5:49 PM

Post #5 of 7 (3476 views)
Re: steering noise on windstar Sign In

Mad we had the pump replaced again, because the mechanic felt it was still a bad pump. It was better from tuesday til today (fri), now we just drove about 55 miles and by the time we got there it was squawking bad when we turn the wheel. We left it sit while dining and when we started off going home it kept hesitating and stalling out. We made it home, but it was a close one. The yellow silhouette of an engine light is on now. not the check engine light, but the other one. Any ideas? The fluids are all o.k.


randyrubley
New User

Aug 13, 2010, 6:10 PM

Post #6 of 7 (3472 views)
Re: steering noise on windstar Sign In

CrazyMy brother has a scanner for this vehicle and it threw the code po320 ignition/distributor engine speed input circuit malfunction. What does that mean? It often clunks hard when going from park to reverse too.


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Aug 13, 2010, 8:46 PM

Post #7 of 7 (3465 views)
Re: steering noise on windstar Sign In

That icon is for stored info we call a CEL light,

Take it with a grain of salt. Dirction to look. Engine is stuggleing which will set codes.

PS was and probably still is the problem. Racks - several in one I know of went bad. Gotta know pump and rack are working. Takes some pro experience sometimes,

T







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