Power Steering Issue?
 

Hey guys.

My 98 Ranger always made a really odd noise when I'd turn, I knew it was the power steering kicking it. It would sound like a high pitch almost like RC car sound. The sound was fine and it seemed like nothing was grinding or anything, recently when I started turning left the power steering made and odd sound. Almost like it was a grinding sound but not...

Here's a video to further my issue:

YouTube - 1998 Ford Ranger- Power Steering Issue

your pump could be on it's way out.

Pump? Sorry I'm a noobie with cars, just starting to become a gearhead.

Under the hood there is a Power Steering Pump attached to the engine and it has a reservoir on it that requires fluid.

Check you owners manual or download one if you don’t have one and check the location, should be towards the driver’s side of the engine.
Also, check the fluid type required, Ford is funny about fluids.

ltr

Power steering noise seems to be an ongoing issue with these trucks. I have the same problem. Best suggestion I've read is to compleatly drain the system and refill with fresh new fluid. The dumbest one I heard was to dump in some fabric softener. I think I'll pass on that one.

I agree with the above. I also have an 05 Escape. the p/s pump started making noise, I took a turkey baster and sucked out as much fluid as I could, refilled it and it has been quite ever since:slaphappy .I also agree DO NOT use fabric softener, It is water based ,no way would that be a good idea. Dennis

I've got same problem. I'm to throw in some Mobile1 Synthetic. I replaced mine 2 years ago with a car quest reman unit (probably a cardone unit) and of course used fresh mercon...but it has whined ever since, just like the one before it. Hopefully a synthetic will be better.

Thats funny....I did the same thing today. I waited till my wife wasn't looking, stole her turkey baster and sucked the power steering pump as dry as I could. I reloaded it with the correct ATF,
( MERCON). I did that twice and drove a few miles between each change. That help get rid of almost all of the noise, still noticed a small whine but nothing close to what it was.. Note that the Power Steering pump uses a different ATF than what the Transmission in my 2004 calls for. Page 232 of the 2004 Ranger Owners Guide shows that the transmission uses MERCON V .and the pump uses Mercon. I understand that there are several different types of ATF for vehicles above 2004 and they aren't always interchangeable so be careful. I don't know what the differences are but If that's what Mr Ford says to do than I do it.

Today, Saturday I added a can of Lucas power steering conditioner an stop leak. I didn't have any leaks to stop however the Lucas product did stop the remainder of the whine I had coming from my power steering pump. That stuff is a little pricy,$9.xx a bottle but it did work so I guess I shouldn't complain. If you use it, make sure you use your wife's turkey baster to remove enough fluid for the Lucas treatment. That amount will be everything that you can reach with the baster or you will not get the full bottle inside the pump.
Bottom line...to fix noisy power steering pumps, flush the pump out at least twice with the proper ATF. Get a can of Lucas Power Steering conditioner/stop leak, empty the pump and dump in the Lucas treatment and you should have a quiet power steering pump. If that doesn't work nothing will, spend the 40 bucks and replace it.