I think is the power steering pump...

[khazar]

Originally Posted by wiswind

Camshaft sychronizer and the idler pulley are possible "other" sources of noise.

My idler pulley had me chasing my tail....replaced the power steering pump.....found that the noise was caused by the idler pulley the whole time.....but it would not make noise below a certain RPM.....seemed fine when spun by hand with the belt off.

For fluid, use Mercon V ATF fluid in your 99 windstar.

I am sure glad i read this advise from wiswind , he saved my butt (tail) from spending hard earned money and punishing work, what i thought was a powersteerinf pump going bad turned out to be the idler pulley, or as the trickster manual calls it,the Drive belt tensioner pulley, making you think it is the pulley attatched on the tensioner, but who do they work for ,the parts dealers? thanks wiswind for speaking clearly.

[Erik2002Winnie]

Originally Posted by mannyjfk

I was just checking it out yesterday and the noise has gone down dramatically. Is more like a chirping sound than a squeaking sound. What has me thinking is the fact that the Lube place around the block recommended me to replace the PS Fluid. Same way they recommend to replace the air filter etc. Should I take their advise seriously or that could be just another sales pitch?

i dont think the fluid is the problem.

you may want to change it, depending on how it looks.

should be red. it will be darker from getting heated, but if you slosh it on some plastic (put soem in milk jug) you will still see its a very dark red.

if its black, somethings going.

i would not pay a lube place to change the fluid, or to do anything.

you can do it yourself very easily.

1. pull fuel relay when car running so it dies.

2. disconect return to resv. put tube in milkjug.

3. have someone crank the ignition (car wont start while turning wheel.

4. KEEP FILLING RESV.

5. when fluid is clean continue to fill line.

go lock to lock 10-20 times to bleed air.

[Erik2002Winnie]

Originally Posted by khazar

I am sure glad i read this advise from wiswind , he saved my butt (tail) from spending hard earned money and punishing work, what i thought was a powersteerinf pump going bad turned out to be the idler pulley, or as the trickster manual calls it,the Drive belt tensioner pulley, making you think it is the pulley attatched on the tensioner, but who do they work for ,the parts dealers? thanks wiswind for speaking clearly.

not positive on a 99, but on my 02. i have a tensioner pully and an idler.

the tensioner pulley is attached to the tensioner. the idler the block, and is a smooth mettal pulley, if you flick it is sounds like a bell.

[northern piper]

just thought I'd mention as safety officer for this thread that when you're using a length of hose or screwdriver to diagnose noises that you want to be really careful. Getting anything caught in a moving belt or pulley can be really dangerous!

P

[Erik2002Winnie]

Originally Posted by northern piper

just thought I'd mention as safety officer for this thread that when you're using a length of hose or screwdriver to diagnose noises that you want to be really careful. Getting anything caught in a moving belt or pulley can be really dangerous!

P

ive never used the hose stull for that reason.