Whining Sound

Hello,

I have a windstar 02. I've noticed a whining sound when the steering wheel is turn left or right. This usually occurs after travelling for some miles, like 30 minutes of driving. I'm up to 46k miles now and have done a transmission flush at 32k.

The ford service advisor told me it could either be a power steering pump or a Rack End Pinion. (Although they did not do a thorough diagnostics as when I was there, no whining sound can be heard. He was only guessing).

What could be the possible problem on this?

Need your opinion on this. Thanks

If the sound is relative to turning the steering wheel, then it is likely the power steering system. If it sounds like a belt squeel, then it could be the belt slipping, oil / fluid on belt, worn belt, or weak tensioner.

If it kind of sounds like a whine, or groan, then it could be relative to the power steering pump / fluid.
The windstar is known for cooking the power steering fluid..... So changing the power steering fluid might be a good idea (has been known to quiet down power steering).
Double check the correct fluid for your year of windstar. I "think" that the 2002 calls for Mercon Rated TRANSMISSION fluid. My '96 calls for a "type F" transmission fluid. If the Mercon ATF is what your year calls for, I would recommend using Mobil 1 ATF, which is Mercon rated, and a synthetic, which will give you better heat tolerance and better cold temperature flow.
There are a few posts in this forum on how to flush the Power steering fluid.
You want to flush the pump, hoses, and steering rack. I would use about 3 quarts of new fluid to do this.

Air in the power steering system can cause noise.....
To purge the air from the power steering system, make sure that the fluid level in the power steering resevoir is in the correct range, start the engine, turn the steering wheel from stop to stop a couple of times, do NOT rest against the limit stop. Recheck the fluid level.
If you see bubbles in the fluid, wait a while for the bubbles to rise out of the fluid, to the surface. Then repeat the air purge process.

And then just topping off the power steering fluid might be all that is needed. I have a 2000 with 120,000 miles on it and I just flushed mine recently.

Jim

Could be the famous Ford Power steering whine. I know a friend of mine's replaced two in his van already. The F-150s are infamous for it. It's usually more anoying than terminal.