ford windstar whinning

[kimber52]

I have a 1995 ford windstar changed the power steering pump and hose and pulley but it still whines when you are driving and turning the wheels it has enough fluid and there does not seem to be foamy bubbles in the fluid could my rack be going

[CnlK]

Are you sure whinning is from the PS pump? Remove serp belt and run for a short amount of time, if whinning stops it could still be your PS pump or one of the other belt driven accessories, including idler and tensioner pulleys. If whinning is still present, chances are your camshaft synchronizer needs replacing.
When replacing the PS pump did you flush the PS lines, could be some debris in the existing fluid.

[kimber52]

my husband says that we cannot take the belt off because nothing will run then it is all one belt

[wiswind]

You can take the belt off....and idle the motor in the driveway for a SHORT time......
Your husband is correct.....you don't want to drive the vehicle this way.....but to remove the belt....start the motor for a short time......a minute or so only......then shut it off is OK.

I had an idler pulley that had me chasing in circles.....this is the pulley that is between the water pump and the power steering/alternator......so it is real hard to tell what is making the sound.

Remember to use Automatic Transmission Fluid for the power steering NOT "Power Steering Fluid".
Your '95 will call for a "Type F" ATF, which you can get at your local auto part store.
If you have put "power steering fluid" in.....then you will need to flush it out....replacing it with ATF.

[tripletdaddy]

You can also try using the long screwdriver trick carefully putting it on different things listening to the handle end to see which is your noisy culprit. Another method, that would probably work better for your situation, is to use a few foot long hose or tubing that you snugly put to your ear and the other end to possible noise sources. Obviously, you want to listen to the ps pump all over it, but you will want to check your camshaft position sensor and synchronizer as Cnlk suggested. It is located where the old distributor used to be, which is at the front left of the engine block beneath the ignition coil pack and to the left of the alternator. It's a round black hockey puck looking thing sitting on a shaft that goes into the top of the front timing cover. It has a wiring connector on its top back side. It seems these things will loose adequate lubrication and get noisy over time. Some have had limited success in lubricating it, while others found it to have too much wear and need replacement. Enough people have had bad experiences with the synchronizer under the sensor, they had to replace that too. I'm not sure how to decide if it needs replacement, but it makes me think I'd replace everything all at once. Someone here hopefully can say or I'm pretty sure a search can find how to decide if it needs replacing. Another point, is either by search or other's input, the camshaft position sensor needs to go in the right, exact spot, for proper engine functioning.

[tripletdaddy]

Ford historically has always had a noisy power steering pump. I can 100% of the time identify a Ford without seeing it by the sound of the ps pump. So, by the nature of the beast, it will make some noise, though I'm certain old fluid and age will make it more noisy. I've read here that doing a thorough drain/flush of the old fluid and replacing it with a 100% synthetic fluid has really quieted it down for them. Trapped and moving air I'd think would make noise, though I'm not sure if it makes it whine more.

[69cuda340s]

I had to flush my power steering fluid mutliple times to get rid of the whining. Its been gone for years now.

[Black_Blade]

I have a 2002 that has this same whining noise...comes and goes...but lately been present all the time, especially when turning. So the popular recomend is to flush out the old ps fluid with tranny fluid??

[CnlK]

Your 2002 should have the remote PS fluid reservior. There is a fine screen filter that should also be cleaned. Search this forum for PS flush, lots of good advise. The summary is: remove reservior & clean screen, reinstall reservior with lower hose in place. Take upper hose & if needed install additional tubing and run into a jug to collect old PS fluid. Fill reservior with new MercV ATF. Jack front end up slightly to take load off front tires. Start engine & run a few seconds, then turn off. Refill reservior and empty jug. Repeat procedure while turning steering wheel back & forth to exchange fluid in rack. Avoid sucking air into PS pump, helps to have an assistant to pour new fluid into reservior & watch fluid level. Another poster mentioned disabling engine ignition to prevent engine from starting, the PS pump really exchanges the fluid quite fast. Reinstall upper hose & add fluid to full mark.