Power Steering and fuel gauge woes

[jsorrell84]

Hey all!

I'm really having a problem with the power steering on my '02 SES. The power steering make sounds like a table saw when i start the car and the steering seems to be hard at times. I found that if i turn it all the way to the right, to where it will normally make some noise to tell you its at its max, the power steering seems to fix itself.

I brought it to a reputable Ford Dealer in the area and they checked it out. They said the pump and belt are fine. the did 2 power steering fluid flushes and the problem remains.

Also, the fuel guage has gone whacky. It always drops to empty when i start the car and it slowly creeps back up to where it should be as the car drives along. They ran it on the computer and it came back with high sulfer/water on sensor. they showed me a ford bullitin that said to clean the sensor and run an alternate brand of fuel for a few tanks. i've done this and it is still giving me trouble. the computer had a number for this that was P0460.

I finally decided to take it to a friend of my moms who has a garage and is alot cheaper then the dealer and does wonderful work. He agreed that there is nothing wrong with the PS pump or belt. He is taking a stab in the dark, but he thinks it might be some kinda pipe between two parts of the power steering system that has a built in filter. he is going to try replacing that first to see what happens. He has also asked around about the fuel guage, some of his inquiries to ford dealers, and no one sems to know what this whole Sulfer thing is. He has decided to try replacing the Fuel sending Unit(?) and he said that might be it.

Does anyone have any other ideas or think that any of these solutions could be the fix? I'm at a loss, thrown lots of money into this, and basically need my car back ASAP.

Thanx All!
Justin

Update - The garage that is working on it replaced some pipe with a built in filter that is part of the power steering system. While the car seems better, the noise is still there, and the steering wheel is still a little tough at times. I did notice that if it is driven alot and the wheel gets worked alot and the engine is warm, the sounds the power steering makes goes away and the steering seems really good. I thought maybe the system worked itself out, but after it was parked overnight and then started in the morning (cold weather 30s) it did it again. This is getting weirder by the minute, lol. Anyone have any ideas?

Thanx again!
Justin