98' Ford Windstar Power Steering

[duck007]

When I turn the wheel the power steering has a whinning noise. I have replaced the power steering pump and it is still doing the same thing. When I go through a puddle of water I lose the power steering and there is a loud squealing noise coming from the belts. Do you have any advice of what to look at next ? I have tried and can not think of anything else.

[wiswind]

You have 1 belt. Serpentine belt. Most likely it needs replaced. Mine went out not long after replacing my power steering pump......most likely I got enough fluid on it to do it in.

You will need a 15mm wrench to grab ahold of the bolt in the middle of the tensioner pulley......which is near the firewall.....a hard clockwise pull on that bolt will pull the pulley forward releasing tension on the belt.....you will then be able to slip it off of the alternator pulley.....

There is a diagram of the correct routing for the belt on the underside of the hood.

You can buy a replacement belt at the dealer or most any auto parts store.
I bought mine at Autozone......as it shredded just as I was turning into their parking lot.....to buy something else.

Also, check the fluid level in the pump.....and purge the air from the system by....with the engine running at idle.....turn the wheels from stop to stop and back to about center. Never hold the wheels against the limit stop.....lots of stress on the power steering.

Make sure that you have used the correct fluid.....I think that the '98 calls for Mercon ATF in the power steering.....Mobil 1 is a readily available synthetic that should work very well.