Ratling on turning wheel and whistling from pwer steering pump

[azharj]

My windstar 2000, ok otherwise, no bubbling, no pulling, no tire wearing problem no sound no accelration problem no electrica problem. But since I changed my Motor craft serpentine fan belt a blowing whistling sound comes most likely from the power steering pump. The sound stops after firve minutes
Even when parked on turning the steering wheel right or left ratelling sound comed from the right side front wheel only on cold morning, night and winter. The sound stops after 10 minutes drive and then in the whole day there will be no sound. I have changed the front mounting seat and the broken bearing but the sound is still there.

[mark_gober]

It could be a couple of things. I'd lean toward the belt tensioner. I had one go bad and it was whistling. I pulled one off of a Crown Victoria (I think) from the junkyard and it worked perfectly. If not that, it could be camshaft synchronizer. The camshaft synchronizer is located in the vicinity of the belts and makes a terrible whistling sound when it's going bad.

I purchased a mechanic's stethoscope and it is WONDERFUL for locating hard to find noises. Just put the metal rod on various parts of the engine and you'll know when you are getting close. You'll really know when you are on it. They are cheap (around $7) and can usually be purchased from auto parts stores.

Good luck.

Mark

P.S. If it was your steering pump, it should change sound if you rotate the steering wheel. (I'd do it sitting still, just to eliminate any other variables)

[azharj]

Dear Mark Gober, Thanks for answer. Note these are not constant sounds but disappear after 5-10 minutes drive.

[tempfixit]

what brand of serpentine belt, cheaper brand or more expensive??

[azharj]

Thanks to all members and the forum to help me solving the problems.
Defects:- see pictures diagrammatic and actual
There are two parts the strut Bearing seat (Ford call it coil spring seat) Part No. 3B455. It is like a plate with a central hole. In the plate there is a circular Plastic Ball bearing of the same size as that of the central hole. Its outer rim is covered by thick rubber (Green in picture). This rubberized rim rests on the coil spring.
The other part is Front shock bracket Part No. XF2Z 18183 AA. This part has three bolts standing up to be fitted with the Body of the windstar. In the center is a rubber part (Green in picture) in which fits the strut. The central part is also of rubber and its lower part fits in the circular bearing in the coils spring seat.
Defects (1) When fitted together the distance between the two parts is only a few mm. (poor design) compared to other cars where the distance is several cm. (2) The rubber sags and is compressed with load of car, (3) shrinks with low temperature thus further reduced distance between the two parts (Poor quality of the rubber?). The decreased distance between the two parts results in the so reduced distance between the coil spring seat and the body as to rub and produce sound. (5) The plastic ball bearing may break (poor design and material). It is to mention that the two parts do not rub as apparently thought.
Solution:- Unless broken no need to change the two parts. In my case the Plastic bearing was broken therefore, changed the seat, as bearing is not available separately, I asked the turner to prepare a ring of the same diameter as that of the plastic bearing and about 3 mm thick, and placed the ring on the Plastic bearing to increase the space between the tow parts (spacer). An alternate solution can be, to place the spacer between the body and the front mounting bracket to increase the space between the body and the coil spring seat. But the height of the bolts on the shock bracket may not be sufficient to allow this. But it is simple to replace the smaller bolts with the new longer ones.
The company did not understand the problem and asked to change all suspension including ball joints tie rod ends rack ends struts sway bars bushings etc in about 4000 dollars while all were in good position and I have no problem in alignment, bubbling tire wearing etc except the sound while turning In cold early moutning or late night .
The other problem of sharp blowing sound of Power steering pump resolved as I drained all the oil by separating the out and in pipes and idling the engine for a second, cleaned the reservoir and strainer and replaced the oil with Mrcon V as recommende by Ford TSB. Thanks God now my car is as sound free as a new.
azharj