Noisy power steering?

Did you check the fluid level? IMO power steering pumps aren't one of the strong points of any Ford. 1st thing I've had to replace on both of mine.

Level seems fine. The guy at the dealership told me alot of frods make that noise and not to worry about it. Seems strange to me.

Service writer - Go ahead, pop the hood and start 'er up.

Me - (I do so) Pretty noisy...

Service writer - What?

Me - WHAT?

Service writer - I SAID "WHAT?"

Me - I SAID IT'S NOISY...

Service writer - IT'S OK...

Me - WHAT?

Service writer - ITS NORMAL....NORMAL!!!

Me - WHAT? I CAN'T HEAR YOU!!

Service writer - (Reaching in and switching off the ignition) Never mind. We'll have a new pump in, in an hour.

Dave (w/ new, noisy-pump'd 2003 V-10 F-250)

Like Battlegodz said, you should ascertain if it actually is your steering pump or another component. I usually take a three or four foot section of garden hose, put one end to my ear and the other on the different components. I've always wanted to see a photo of me doing this for some reason. Anyhow, it's a good way to isolate noises. If it is, indeed, your pump then it will eventually fail. I'd replace it for the peace of mind. However, when you price them you may think differently and explore "replacement" as finding one in a wrecking yard that looks OK. I know that's where I would end up. Good luck. jor

My '75 Ford service manuals refer to this and claim they are ok but if the customer insists go ahead and change it out, but make sure the customer knows the new one will prob'ly be just as noisy. :)

There's been a bunch of design changes since then and they are still having that problem? :/

Anyway, I use Valvoline sythectic power steering fluid in my old clunker but, later, I also added about a 1/4 cup of white teflon grease to the oil and shook it up before adding it. Right away, it quieted right down. The old pumps like mine (round with a skinny little filler neck) have a little screen (like a kitchen faucet) in the back where the return line goes into the pump. It was so plugged up with pieces of "vane" it didn't look like it could have possibly worked but somehow, was anyway. ;)

Alvin in AZ

"it could possibly be the belt tensioner going out."

Yup, check it with a 15mm. Make sure it moves freely. Mine was making a hell of a noise, the tensioner was frozen SOLID - wouldn't give slack or tighten the belt. 30K miles on it too! Had to cut the belt to replace the tensioner. When it's frozen everything howls and clangs and bangs - it's hard to tell what the trouble is when all that noise is coming from "somewhere" up front. The idler pulley below it (4.2 litre) was also shot so I had them replace it at that time - it's cheap. Alternator was howling as well (I hate howling/whirring/whistling alts) so I replaced it too. Sheesh, I can hardly hear it running now! And all it took was some cash. I was pretty pissed at the time, but since the repairs I've heard many say that you should replace the tensioner when you replace the belt. It's not that expensive considering what it has to do for a living. Royal pain to get in there if your arms are bigger than chopsticks so I paid the dealer to do it for me.