Hello, I am new here. Not sure if I am posting in the right place, but here goes: I just bought a 99 Ford Ranger XLT, 3.0, v6, 105k miles, about 2 weeks ago. When i first got it, everything ran smooth, but there was one thing wrong that we noticed. whenever you turn the steering wheel, it makes like a loud screeching sound and all. so we filled up the power steering fluid, and a week later it still does the sound.....after driving for awhile it goes away but when you do big turns, it comes back. What could it be? I was thinkin of buying a new power steering unit and pump, but i dont want to waste my money just yet, and it not be that. So any other suggestions?
Thank you for reading.

 

These are normal to be loud

 

what is screeching the serpentine belt?

 

yeah what is screetching, does it sound like it is comeing from one of your wheels or from the engine compartment?

 

Steering components may need to be greased.

 

turn the radio up

 

haha i do turn the radio up :P. but it only does the noise when i turn the wheel. we thought it was the power steering but we dont know. was thinkin maybe the bushing or berrings that are in the ps pump may be worn out or somethin i dunno.

 

try and find out where the noise is coming from so we can help you.

 

well today i ran into a little problem. my power steering was leakng....so now that gots me thinking that may be a cause. so i went and bought some lucas power sterring stop leak. drove it for a lil bit to break the stuff in. still screeches, but time will tell....im wishing it could stop already. if it continues, im going to have to get more into it and see wtf it is

 

its more than likely a powersteering line that got a little rusty and now leaks... this happend to my buddys accord. find the line and replace it... it more than likely will just get worse if u dont replace it

 

my steering wheel squeals when i turn it. sounds like its somewhere within the steering column. i think im going to spray some wd-40 in there sometime whenever i remember lol wd-40 lubes everything

 

well was looking more into it, and the power steering presure line hose is leaking. so tomorrows my day off, going to go to autozone, buy the new hose, and replace it :/

 

atleast you figured out the problem and didnt pay a shop some insane amount of money to fix it, thats how i learned how to do my brakes and other little maintence things

 

nah i have options, and will not let a shop touch my truck....unless maybe for a lift or major problems. but my stepdad, brother and my best friends dad can help me well with my truck.

 

glad you found it out. most likely when you have screeching/whining while turning the steering wheel, it is a power steering issue. usually low fluid level, due to a leak in the system somewhere. happened a lot on my old '89 Acclaim.

 

got the hose, and a new bottle of lucas and still have about 3/4 of my other bottle......was wondering if its good to just use lucas power steering stop leak to fill it up, OR put most of it, and then mix with power steering fluid?cant do the change out till tomorrow, stepdads off and i work in the morning.

 

aye, i hate bumping and double posting, but i want to try and get my latest post answered by tomorrow morning or by 6pm tomorrow.(2am now) just need to know if i should just use the last of my other bottle and mix with power steering fluid, or just put power steering stop leak only and run off that. thanks for reading