"Power Stering Pump"

PAPO

MEMBER
FORD WINDSTAR

Hi Folks.
My 1998 Ford Windstar mileage: 199.998 has had a problem with the steering pump. I have replaced the pump twice and the steering rack once. The rack is new about 3yrs. Old. The last pump is 1yr.6mo. Old, and the fluid keeps turning black on me. The existing pump is now making this noise as if is grouling like a dog. I don't know what else to do--other than to keep replacing pumps--I hate to spend money like that. Any help would be appreciated.
thanks.
Papo

6 Replies

CATCH_15

MECHANIC
250 POSTS

When you replace the pump, do you put all new power steering fluid in? It sounds elementary, but I'm just making sure.

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Saturday, December 2nd, 2006 AT 10:44 PM

PAPO

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Yes I did. Thanks

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Saturday, December 2nd, 2006 AT 10:48 PM

CATCH_15

MECHANIC
250 POSTS

It may be a pain to do, but if the fluid keeps turning black on you, I would think that if you replace the fluid every so often that you may not burn up pump after pump. It's kind of hard to say because I can't actually look at the vehicle in person.

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Saturday, December 2nd, 2006 AT 10:53 PM

PAPO

MEMBER
4 POSTS

I guess I could try replacing the fluid as you mention and see if that works. Replacing the pump on this vehicle is not a piece of cake, but i've done it twice. So Iam getting pretty good at it.
Anyway-- thanks for all your help. And I just want to say, that I read your site almost everyday--you guys are awsome to provide this type of help to folks like myself. Keep up the good work and God Bless.
Papo

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Saturday, December 2nd, 2006 AT 11:00 PM

CATCH_15

MECHANIC
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I would think that if everything has been replaced that the fluid could be picking up all of the contaminents that possibly got in the system during replacement and flushing the old used fluid out a few times may help.