01 - Power steering noise
 

I have a 2001 Ford Ranger XLT regular cab 2.5L 4 cylinder, manual transmission, RWD. 157k miles.

When I am stopped in traffic, I hear the power steering pump whirring/moaning constantly. It doesn't stop. I have a 2012 Subaru Legacy and it only makes the noise when I turn the wheel. My Ranger makes the noise even if I don't touch it. Ideas? Is something going bad or is this normal (Google tells me Fords are noisy). I guess I can live with it... I guess.

Re: 01 - Power steering noise
 

All of the power steering pumps whine, replace it, or live with it, its a Ford thing, and I am damn proud of it. Just tell people its your supercharger. lol :D

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Oh and make a sig, its under UserCP, then under edit signature.

Re: 01 - Power steering noise
 

Mine's gotta be shot. It's loud as hell when I'm turning. I test drove several others. You can hear them, but they're not near as loud as mine. I think it's time for a new one. Crap like that drives me nertz!

Re: 01 - Power steering noise
 

Oh, change the belt tensioner if you havent i did and it quieted down a bit, not as loud,

Re: 01 - Power steering noise
 

I just had a new serpentine belt put in. Didn't make a difference.

Is this noise going to break something and leave me stranded? If not, I'll just leave it for now.

What would it cost to get fixed? Appx. parts and labor?

Any recommendations on power steering fluid if I get a flush? Redline? What specific model number? I used their transmission fluid and it's nice.

Re: 01 - Power steering noise
 

I said Belt Tensioner, not belt. The tensioner has a spring that attaches to the block, and has a pully on it, as the pully goes out it whines.

Re: 01 - Power steering noise
 

its just a ford thing...my grandpas ranger PS pump whines loud too and so did my car my work van does it too...idk of a ford that doesnt whine

Re: 01 - Power steering noise
 

true - it's a ford thing. Is the pump still performing at all? or is it not assisting anymore?

probly $300-400 for a shop to do it.

You can replace it easily yourself. a rebuilt pump at the parts house will be like $60 (can still be noisy though). new eom from ford is like $200.

you'll need a puller to get the shim off and back on. i use whatever the manual says to use for fluid.

Re: 01 - Power steering noise
 

Also have a 94 Mustang with 180k miles. It does not make this noise.

Re: 01 - Power steering noise
 

I'll admit, they make a little noise, but mine is really loud. Sounds like an old chevy very low on PS fluid. Like I said, the ones I test drove recently didn't sound off quite that much. There's noisy, then there's loud as hell.

Re: 01 - Power steering noise
 

It means your part of an elite group of truck owners

Re: 01 - Power steering noise
 

if its not broken why fix it? wait for something to happen. at worst your power steering will stop and you will have to use your muscles

Re: 01 - Power steering noise
 

^^^ yeah it won't leave you stranded or anything.

Re: 01 - Power steering noise
 

HAAAAA! Right on! I'll tell the next person that when they look at my truck funny.

Re: 01 - Power steering noise
 

I replaced mine in my 99 because it was so loud you could hear it moaning over the regular engine noise. Was fairly easy to do, just a bit messy. I chose to replace the pressure and return hose at the same time due to wear. The hardest part was getting the mounting bolts loose. It took a couple of hits with my air wrench to loosen them up (plus using PB Blaster). I used a pulley remover from Autozone to remove the pulley. It was difficult finding a new pump, so I went NAPA remanufactured. It was in a fairly easy location to gain access.