Groaning/whining when steering wheel is turned, what is it?

[Jr's Sho]

A car I'm considering buying has a whining and groaning noise coming from the front when the steering wheel is turned both ways. It doesn't seem to sound the same every time but it can be pretty loud. Is it the pump, struts, mounts, or rack? There's no clicking noise at all, just a whine. I just would like an idea of what I would be spending getting it fixed if I decide to buy the car. Thanks.

 

[TimboSHO]

Wow Jr's SHO, 420 posts? He he he. This whining would be the power steering pump. This is a very common Ford problem, and might not even mean it needs replacement. I remeber putting a brand new one in my 87 Taurus, and it still make the noise (only less of it). As long as the pump doesn't leak, it should be fine (as long as it's not overwhelmingly loud, as well).

 

[Shoaz]

On the SHO this can be the tie rod end links as well. Mine did this a couple of months ago. The tech writer at the dealership and I were both convinced it was the power steering pump, turned out to be the end links.

 

[projectSHO89]

Probably air in the P/S system.

Perform a vacuum purge and see if it goes away.

Instructions are in the service manual.

On the SHO this can be the tie rod end links as well.

How the **** can that happen? The tie rods are just attached to the end of the rack.

Steve

 

[Shoaz]

quote:
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On the SHO this can be the tie rod end links as well.
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How the **** can that happen? The tie rods are just attached to the end of the rack.

They bind when they're failing. Between the groaning of the end links and the stress on the pump the symptoms are tough to distinguish from a failing pump. Like I say the service writer and I were both prepared for a pump replacement. New end links cured the problem. I'll give the dealer credit for finding and fixing the correct problem rather than just replacing the pump.

 

[Jr's Sho]

I was thinking maybe steering pump, but then again couldn't bad strut mounts make the same noise?

 

[DJ SHO]

If it's more of a deeper groaning sound, prolly your PS pump. Is the wheel tough to turn? My old ATX ended up needing it's pump replaced. Poor assist and deeper groaning sounds (not the kind you hear from a PS pump when it's low on fluid) led me to the parts store for new a pump. All was well after the replacement. Not really too hard either, even on the ATX where's it's kinda tight on that side of the engine bay.

 

[Bizzy]

Mine is doing the same thing on my 94 MTX, I'm 99% sure that it is the outer tie rod ends. Ford in hier infinte wisdom didn't put grease fittings on them, so when the grease is gone it is just rubber on rubber. Then they get loose, then steering goest to crap. When there is no grease they begin to put excessive strain on the rack.

I'm hoping to get my outers changed out this week to 2 MOOG ones with a grease fitting. Lik $46 from rockauto for the pair.

Good Luck