Power Steering Humm/whine when warm only?

[Scooby]

After the truck has been driven for 30 minutes or so, I start to notice a "humming" or slight whining noise in the power steering when I turn in either direction. It's happening while in motion, so I'm not sitting at a stop cranking the wheel for fun or anything.



Is this something others have experienced when the fluid gets hot?

 

[Scooby]

Anyone?... ... Bueller?

 

[rbattelle]

I assume you have already checked the fluid level? It could be a problem with the pump specifically. These have a plastic reservoir on them, and sometimes those can vibrate a bit and make noise. It may not necessarily be anything other than annoying. Every Ford product I've ever owned had a noisy power steering pump.



Is it so loud you can hear it at highway speeds too? Or just when crawling along slowly? Is your suspension system and tire size stock?

 

[Scooby]

Everything is boner stock right now. I only hear it when it is warm, too... so it may have something to do with the plastic reservoir... . I don't turn sharp enough on the hiway to hear it...



thanks for the response!

 

[MMead]

My truck is one week old and I hear it too. I have no idea what causes it, but I've driven several older vehicles that made a similar noise. My fluid level is normal so as long as it doesn't get worse I'm going to keep my truck as far away from the dealership as possible.

 

[rbattelle]

Just keep an eye out for leaks. Remember, these trucks are much quieter than the 2nd gen trucks. If Dodge kept the same PS pump, it might be a noisy unit. I can certainly hear mine when turning the wheel, but I consider it normal (you're working the pump hard in those conditions).



You *might* be able to decrease the noise by changing the fluid to something more expensive and synthetic.

 

[Scooby]

Originally posted by rbattelle





You *might* be able to decrease the noise by changing the fluid to something more expensive and synthetic.

Yup... there isn't a problem out there that can't be fixed by simply writing a bigger check!