Weird Steering Noise

[skizot722]

My 2002 LS V8 makes a weird noise (like a pressurized sound) when turning the steering wheel while the engine is cold. The noise sounds like the noise you'd hear on older Chevy's when you turn the steering wheel all the way to the left or right. However, on my LS you can hear the noise by just turning the steering wheel the slightest bit, and the entire time while turning the wheel.

The noise seems to go away after the car warms up, but turning the wheel at low RPMs (close to idle) causes the RPM to drop and the car stutters a bit (you can see the lights dim when this happens at night). Once I stop turning the wheel the RPMs jump back up by about 200-300 RPM to where they would be normally. Does anyone know what might be the problem here?

On another somewhat related note, the steering wheel does not lock after the vehicle has been put in park and the key removed. I wouldn't think that that is the normal behavior.

Thanks in advance.

[Drag214]

Your power steering fluid is low. The sound you are refering to is your pump straining with the air pockets that form in the hydrolic system. Check your levels.

[skizot722]

I will check it, but I'm pretty sure there's a sensor for that; isn't that one of the readouts on the system menu?

Any ideas why the steering wheel lock wouldn't be working?

[skizot722]

OK, there doesn't appear to be a sensor for it. My mistake. However, the fluid level is sitting right at the max marker line on the P/S resevoir. Any other ideas on this or the steering wheel lock?

[shorod]

Your 2002 wouldn't appear to apply to this, but:
TSB 06-5-16
03/20/06
STEERING GEAR SQUEAK WHEN TURNING THE
STEERING WHEEL DURING LOW SPEED PARKING
MANEUVERS FORD:
2003-2005 Thunderbird LINCOLN:
2003-2005 Lincoln LS, Aviator This article supersedes TSB 4-10-1 to update the vehicle model years.
ISSUE
Some 2003-2005 Thunderbird, Aviator, and Lincoln LS vehicles may exhibit steering gear squeak when turning the steering wheel, especially during low speed parking maneuvers. The noise may sound like it is coming from the steering column area and may be felt as a roughness in the steering wheel, while turning. ACTION
Refer to the following Service Procedure. SERVICE PROCEDURE
NOTE USE ONLY THE FLUID AND ADDITIVE SPECIFIED IN THIS ARTICLE. USING ANY OTHER FLUIDS OR ADDITIVES MAY RESULT IN SEAL DETERIORATION AND LEAKS. 1. Open the hood and remove the power steering reservoir cap.
2. Raise the vehicle on a hoist. Refer to Workshop Manual, Section 100-00.
3. With engine off, drain power steering fluid by disconnecting steering lines and clamp plate from steering gear. Refer to Steering Gear Removal and Installation procedure in Workshop Manual, Section 211-00, follow only the steps required to disconnect the steering lines.
4. Turn steering wheel lock-to-lock to drain fluid completely.
5. Reconnect steering lines and clamp plate to steering gear. Torque retainer to 15 N.m (11 lb-ft) for Lincoln LS and Thunderbird, torque to 25 N.m (18 lb-ft) for Aviator.
6. Lower vehicle.
7. In a clean container mix 50 ml (10 teaspoons or 1.7 oz.) of Motorcraft Additive Friction Modifier, Part Number XL-3, with 50 ml of Motorcraft MERCON(R) Multi-Purpose Automatic Transmission Fluid, Part Number XT-2-QDX. NOTE DO NOT PERFORM STEPS 8 AND 9 ON A HOT VEHICLE.
8. Pour the above mixture into the power steering reservoir.
9. Top off (fill) the power steering system with Motorcraft MERCON(R) Multi-Purpose Automatic Transmission Fluid, Part Number XT-2-QDX and reinstall the power steering reservoir cap.
10. Raise vehicle on hoist enough so the front wheels are off the ground and can be turned from lock-to-lock.
11. Start the engine and keep it at idle. Remain inside of the vehicle.
12. Slowly cycle the steering wheel from lock-to-lock for two (2) minutes.
13. Quickly and forcefully turn the steering wheel in one direction to full lock (either side). Bounce the steering wheel on/off of full lock twenty (20) times forcefully. NOTE IT IS CRITICAL THAT THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED QUICKLY AND FORCEFULLY IN ORDER TO CREATE A PRESSURE SPIKE IN THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM.
14. Repeat Step 13 in the other direction. Return the steering wheel to on center position.
15. Slowly turn steering wheel to full lock in one direction (either direction) to achieve maximum pump pressure. Hold at full lock for one (1) second, then turn the steering wheel back 90 degrees as quickly as possible. Repeat this procedure twenty (20) times. NOTE DO NOT HOLD THE STEERING WHEEL AGAINST THE STOPS FOR MORE THAN THREE TO FIVE (3-5) SECONDS AT A TIME. DAMAGE TO THE POWER STEERING PUMP MAY OCCUR.
16. Repeat Step 15 in the other direction.
17. Cycle the steering wheel slowly for 1 minute to confirm that the squeak is corrected and return vehicle to the customer. NOTE IF THE SQUEAK CONTINUES, REPEAT STEPS 13-16 ONE ADDITIONAL TIME. IF THE SQUEAK IS STILL NOT CORRECTED PROCEED TO STEP 18.
18. If the squeak is still present after performing Step 17, replace the steering gear. Refer to Workshop Manual, Section 211-00 for removal and installation procedures.

WARRANTY STATUS: Eligible Under Provisions Of New Vehicle Limited Warranty Coverage