windstar power steering pump problem

[annetteandtodd]

My 2000 Windstar was making noises when I turned the wheel. Took it in and had the P/S pump replaced about six weeks later it starts making the same noise. I took it back to the same shop and was told that it was the sway bar. I know nothing about cars, but even I knew that didn't sound right. Took it to a dealer. They said the fluid was low, but did not see any leaks (they said sway bar looks fine by the way). They put fluid in it and for a week now it has not made any noise. Any one know why it would make that noise six weeks later and show no signs of leaks. Will it do this again? I filed a complaint with the shop, but not sure what to ask them for as a resolve to the problem. Any one have any ideas. Thanks!

[96wWindstar180K]

When the pump was installed they probabley didnt blead the air out of the system and the fluid level dropped. Probabley wont do it again. Watch the fluid level. Im not sure what to sk them for other then paying the bill if any the dealer charged you. I would never use them again. Report them to the better buisness bureau.

[chasealley]

Ford has a very specific (and bizarre) procedure for bleeding air from PS. I have to be honest, if I was working at a shop I don't think I would have known about it. To top it off, Ford has a TSB for 'steering groan' and other noises. They say the first thing to do before any repairs is to bleed the system again using a vacuum pump to get out any air. To make matters worse (!) they even have an upgraded hose to replace to change the noise in the system to get customers to stop complaining.

Now, for the sway bar I don't know why they said that. They guy probably yanked on it and the bushings made some noise so they figured that's what it was. Maybe. The low level was a dead give away for air leaving the system (if no leak was found).

In the Ford manual though they do discuss simply turning the wheel left and right to bleed air. In the TSB they go into detail about using the vac pump. I guess not even enough Ford guys use the vac pump method often enough that they needed the reminder.