whining noise on 1998

[franger]

i have noise from under the hood, more pronounced when in park, while cranking the wheel back and forth. usually gets louder as the van warms up. power steering fluid is topped up but seems discoloured. is there a way to change it other than siphoning it out? wheel turns freely and seems to be no ill effects other than the whining (hydraulic) noise. are ps pump or steering rack problems common on these vehicles? thanks for any info.

[busboy4]

Hi Franger
there has been much talk on this board and on cartrackers.com about flushing the power steering fluid - basically removing a return line and allowing the pump to push old fluid through the system as you refill the reservoir with new until all the fluid is changed. Fairly easy, a little messy and a two person job. Try this link:

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...power+steering

Good luck

[ModMech]

Whining form the P/S is *usually* a sign that either the pump is going bad, or that there is air trapped in the system. Air will "self bleed" over time, but if the pump is going, it will get worse, and not better.