Power Steering groan when cold

[Alan Peters]

I have developed a groaning noise since changing the fluid. Its only on cold mornings, and for the first 5 minutes. I can feel it in the steering wheel and pedals. What could this be or is their an bigger issue. Never had a day of trouble until changing the fluid. Maybe air in the lines?

 

[Todd Z]

It took my truck almost 2 weeks of driving for all the air and noises and weird stuff to go away......



Todd Z

 

[Alan Peters]

Ok thats certainly good news to hear. I was nervous I did some freaky stuff to the system. Thought maybe the system is getting fresh fluid so the lubrication had something to do with it. But glad I asked. Thanks Todd!

 

[Bob McDonald]

Since you say it goes away after 5 minutes, that sound like while the fluid is cold, the volume is too low and allowing air to sneak into the pump, but after is expands (warms up) all is OK. I am hoping you checked the fluid level in the reservoir while is was cold. Since it sounds like you are implying that you changed the yourself, I am going to assume you checked and tightened anything that you loosened.



Sorry. Don't mean to sound so anal. Just saying so you could mentally review everything you did and maybe something will ring a bell of maybe being forgotten. Good luck.

 

[Todd Z]

BTW..... what did you use for fluid ???



Todd Z

 

[Alan Peters]

I usedmotorcraft mercon V trans and power steering fluid. What the ford dealer recommended that replaced mercon atf. I did check it this morning and its a tad below the max line, but when I got to work this morning, it was on the max line. I did turn the wheel lock to lock after preforming the service to removed any air out.

 

[Todd Z]

Sounds good.... i would just drive it for a little longer.....



Todd Z

 

[zaffo oxnard]

A couple of full turns lock to lock really should get all the air out. What color is the fluid in the resivior? If it is solid clear deep red, you don't have issues with trapped air. If it is frothy or pinkish or not 100% clear, you have air in the system. It will work itself out.

 

[Alan Peters]

It was pinkish. But its a deep read after putting about 75 miles on it so far today.

 

[Kevin Palmer]

After some driving, as Todd has mentioned, if it is air it should be solved.



To bring it to your attention, there was TSP for power steering pumps but only in cold environments. They replaced the Track pump with an V8 Explorer pump of the same year.



I had mine swapped out as it groaned and lost performance at slow speeds, such as parking lot driving.