02' Vulcan power steer pump

Anyone experience or hear of a pump turning so hard that it slipped on the drive belt? The pump is noisy. Have a brief rubber smells in the cabin that I've been unable to track down.

Have you checked the fluid level of the pump? Is it noisy all the time the engine is running, or only when turning the steering wheel? Have you checked for oil leaks that could be dripping on the engine or exhaust and causing the burning smell? Is the belt tension good, or is there quite a bit of give in the tensioner?

-Rod

Anyone experience or hear of a pump turning so hard that it slipped on the drive belt?


If the pump has run a bearing and is about to seize, then yes.
But the bad bearing usually makes so much noise it's easy to spot.

Fluid level correct and system not leaking. I pumped all the old fluid out and replaced with Mercon V. Made no difference.
I had put a "rebuilt" pump on last year from Pep Boys but it was noisier so I took it back and put the OEM back on. (not an easy job to keep playing with)
I think that Ford left us owners hanging with these cheap pumps. The only way to replace is to get an unsatisfactory rebuilt from who knows who.

Rod, Forgot to answer all your questions. Belt tension tight, seems to be the same noise whether turning or not, and definitely NOT an oil smell. Pulley installed flush with pump shaft. Smells strongest on passenger side of hood, lift hood can't find smell. I checked for rubber binding but can't find anything. Belt not old and seems to be in good shape.
Even if I did find it was something else, would sure be nice to get rid of the constant pump buzz/hum.

I called Ford and hoped to get some info from a tech or customer service. I got a clerk who kept telling me that: "There is no recall on that" I couldn't get past her to anyone who could think. She told me all she could say was: "take it to the dealer". The service writer at Ford wanted $99 to "diagnose" it but said that if it is the pump they only have a 50 - 50 success rate to get a new pump on that will not be noisy.
Any questions why foreign automakers are burying the domestics?