Noises while turning

[Barudar]

First of all.. I know nothing about cars yet, this is my first which I've been only driving for 2 weeks. I'm goin crazy not knowing what's wrong with my car!

96 Ford Taurus makes a pretty loud noise while turning both right and left. The sound seems to get louder the slower I am going (especially while stopped). I would TRY to describe it as.. the sound of your tires on the freeway, but much louder and the harder I turn the louder it gets, a little more on the left side too. The car is FWD and it comes from the front of the car, doesn't seem to be coming more from the left or right.

It started the first day I drove it, I drove for 45 minutes mainly on a freeway, and when I pulled into the place, it started and it wasn't quiet. After that, it would still only make the sound after driving for a while, but now after driving for more than a week it does it right when I start the car.. HELP!!

[shorod]

Welcome to the forum, and to driving!

I'm guessing that the noise you're hearing is the power steering pump. Does it have a whining/moaning sound to it? It is probably low on fluid. Unfortunately, if it's low on fluid, it's low for a reason. There's probably a leak somewhere. Any chance you got a warranty with the car? If you're lucky the leak is just a hose. If you're less lucky, it will be a worn out pump. If you're unfortunate, the problem will be the rack and pinion or a combination of more than one of these items.

You should of course also inspect everything to make sure the wheels and suspension are tight. If the noise is more of a single bang or pop, the problem is probably not the steering system but rather a suspension component.

-Rod

[Barudar]

I actually had just replaced the water pump before starting to drive. So I'll check the hoses! thank you

And also, I am looking for a job and have no money, so I cant really get it into a shop yet :/ can't afford it

[danielsatur]

Also see Similar threads at the bottom.
I have flushed, and used lucas power steering treatment with no luck.

[shorod]

Originally Posted by Barudar

I actually had just replaced the water pump before starting to drive. So I'll check the hoses! thank you

Note that I said Power Steering Pump, not water pump. Would you describe the noise a bit better (moan/groan, rattle, clunk/pop, etc.)?

-Rod

[Barudar]

It is definitely more of a groan. And yea.. woops, I replaced the water pump not the power steering pump >.<

I looked in the power steering fluid container and it was orange and foaming at the top of the dipstick. But after driving it goes down past the dipstick.

Wow, strange.. I just re-checked the power steering fluid again after it sitting for a full day and its very low and NOT foamy at all. What the heck?

[serge_saati]

It's very weird, it should not be orange and especially not foaming. Anyway, you should add immediatly fluid to save your pump. Don't overfill and use the appropriate fluid for your car. Which is ATF-type F fluid (a transaxle fluid) if my memory is good, confirm in your owner manual.