Power Steering growl
Printed From: The Ford Torino Page
Category: Model Specific Forum
Forum Name: 1968-1969 Ford and Mercury
Forum Description: Technical discussion for 1968-1969 Ford and Mercury
URL: https://forum.grantorinosport.org/forum_posts.asp?TID=21676
Printed Date: 26-March-2026 at 3:24PM Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.06 - https://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Power Steering growl
Posted By: ELT
Subject: Power Steering growl
Date Posted: 24-April-2025 at 1:20PM
Hi all, PS was quiet but the slave cylinder and short hoses were leaking so they were replaced. I did the left to right bleeding process. Now I have a constant groan when turning either way. Any thoughts as to why? It's a 69 Cobra sportsroof. Thanks, Ed
------------- Thanks,Ed
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Replies:
Posted By: Jaybee
Date Posted: 02-May-2025 at 4:16PM
Did it run low enough on fluid so the assist faltered? These pumps have a tendency to get noisy after that and stay that way.
------------- Cars are meant for driving
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Posted By: ELT
Date Posted: 05-May-2025 at 10:16AM
Not that I know of. Res. Stays full now. No leaks. I am going to do multiple left to right, lock to lock turns tomorrow. I am thinking there might still be air stuck in there. Do I need to raise the front tires off the ground to do this?
------------- Thanks,Ed
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Posted By: pyntre
Date Posted: 05-May-2025 at 10:56AM
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Yes taking the weight off the tires will make the process a lot easier on everything , your tires , and your driveway !
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Posted By: ELT
Date Posted: 06-May-2025 at 3:29AM
Okay...lifted the tires. Went lock to lock about 40 times. First with engine off, then with engine running. Did not see fluid bubbles and the fluid level stayed the same. Still growls. No improvement. Steering feels good with no chatter or any other issues. Just the noise.
------------- Thanks,Ed
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Posted By: ELT
Date Posted: 06-May-2025 at 3:33AM
I should note that there was no noise when wheels were off the ground during the lock to lock purge process. Only growls when wheels are on the ground and when driving. Any thoughts as to what the problem is? Thanks, Ed
------------- Thanks,Ed
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Posted By: 72FordGTS
Date Posted: 06-May-2025 at 11:28AM
What are you using for P/S fluid? ATF Type F? All I can think of is you used the wrong fluid or the pump is starting to go and the fluid change exacerbated the problems?
------------- Vince
1972 Ford GTS Sportsroof - Survivor, One Family car
GTS.org Admin
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Posted By: ELT
Date Posted: 06-May-2025 at 11:54AM
Yes, ATF Type F. I am thinking it's the pump. No noise when front is lifted because there is no load on the pump. Groans during full load when grounded. Don't know what else it could be.
------------- Thanks,Ed
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Posted By: Inkara1
Date Posted: 08-May-2025 at 7:59PM
Just a shot in the dark and probably not the issue, but costs nothing but a few seconds to check. How tight is the belt? When the pump is making noise, is the belt flopping around? I would get that with the air conditioning belt.
------------- 1972 Gran Torino station wagon, light blue, 351C 2V, prior owner upgraded to 4V (2V heads), originally had a C4 but prior owner changed to C6 for some reason.
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Posted By: ELT
Date Posted: 09-May-2025 at 2:03AM
Thanks All belts are tight. I might just deal with it for a while. This is a factory AC car so swapping out the pump is a bit more work. It's car cruise and show season so hopefully it will last the season.
------------- Thanks,Ed
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Posted By: Booyah45828
Date Posted: 09-May-2025 at 3:33AM
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No hoses touching the frame? That can make a surprising amount of noise. If you're sure there is no air, and the fluid looks good and has never been ran low, there are additives you can put in the oil that can help with noise. I've had success with FR3 from hot shot's secret. It only takes a little bit due to the small fluid capacity.
Most of the time with whine I find that there is air in the system, even if the bubbles aren't visible. If the fluid is cloudy at all that could be bubbles. Once I found using power steering fluid in place of ATF fixed the problem, that was on a truck with a hydrobooster, and those systems can be finicky at times. Some systems are a nightmare to get air out of. Certain new vehicles require a vacuum pump to be used on the reservoir while bleeding. Some times you have to bleed it and let it rest for an hour or so and then do it again.
Being that you had the system open for repairs, I'd be inclined to believe it's air in the system.
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Posted By: ELT
Date Posted: 09-May-2025 at 2:57PM
Thanks Booyah. I think I an going to try bleeding the system with my Mityvac. See how that goes.
------------- Thanks,Ed
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Posted By: Eliteman76
Date Posted: 09-May-2025 at 6:20PM
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Another issue is as these pumps age, the Ford Thompson pumps had that groan noise from day one tbh.
Keep in mind, parts have not been made for those pumps for nearly 15-20 years. If you want to consider replacement, Look to Lares. They offer a Saginaw pump designed to drop into the Thompson PS pump cans and you eliminate the Thompson growl.
Lares Corporation is who I typically recommend folks talk to. They show a reman Thompson #2038, but I'd suggest calling them. https://www.larescorp.com/Part/2038" rel="nofollow - https://www.larescorp.com/Part/2038
Also, CVF Racing makes a billet aluminum Thompson style housing if you want to clean up things or have a PS pump that has seen better days. https://www.cvfracing.com/billet-ford-power-steering-pump-with-reservoir/" rel="nofollow - https://www.cvfracing.com/billet-ford-power-steering-pump-with-reservoir/
Last item...May be worth while to consider doing a complete system flush. Basically unhook the low pressure loop, and run one hose into the reservoir off a gallon jug of clean fluid, and then run the other low pressure line that feeds back to the reservoir into a 5 gallon bucket, and cycle in fresh type F.
Make sure Type F. Do not use "power steering fluid". Our cars need the heaver type F fluid due to the steering box design.
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Andrew:GTS.ORG admin, '72 Q code 5 speed Restomod Pondering: #99Problems
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Posted By: Booyah45828
Date Posted: 12-May-2025 at 3:35AM
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Power steering fluid is thicker then type F at room temp, and only slightly (.5 cSt) thinner at 212°F. It was type F that I swapped out in that truck. They make thinner steering fluids, but they're typically referred to as that, or called honda/acura fluid. There's actually guys that swap standard fluid to thinner fluid in canada due to the cold temps for better steering.
Type F from motorcraft has power steering fluid on the label, as that's what it's used for the majority of the time anymore. If you can't find type F, I'm pretty confident power steering fluid will work. At the end of the day it's a hydraulic system, so long as the viscosity is in the ballpark and the additives don't eat the seals and hoses, it should be fine.
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Posted By: 72 RS 351
Date Posted: 12-May-2025 at 6:29AM
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Type F fluid in some early Ford steering racks(R&P) resulted in bad leaks, and some early failures. That was in Fox Mustangs mostly, so it may also be owner's poor choice of fluid brands. I stopped using ATF in the early 90's and then got a Mark VII and heard those stories. I have never had any odd issues from actual power steering fluid, though I have not yet put it in my Ranchero's. But I will soon, PS fluid is made for it, while ATF is made for transmissions(and Ford was too cheap to discover and use ATF, instead of creating a better fluid).
So type F is fine to use, but it is not better than PS fluid. Do what you want to, but please don't debate on the wrong side of a logical issue.
------------- Don 73 Ranchero "Sport 72 front end", floor shift/console, planning EFI 7000 rpm 351 stroker 73 Ranchero GT 351C-4V &4R70W for sale later. 92 Lincoln Mark VII SE GTC, OBDII 347/4R70W
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Posted By: ELT
Date Posted: 12-May-2025 at 2:17PM
Thanks...so, I don't think the type F fluid is the issue. Upon further review, I discovered today that some previous owner used fuel line for the return lines. That's a no no. System does not hold vacuum well with no visable leaks so my latest theory is that those spongy fuel lines are bleeding air. On Friday I will be replacing the return lines along with the pressure line which has seen better days. Hoping for a quiet system after that. The pump is a factory TRW(black), not the teal Ford/ Thompson. Not going to give into replacing the pump until I try everything else first. Thanks so much for all the helpful replies!
------------- Thanks,Ed
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Posted By: ELT
Date Posted: 31-July-2025 at 1:54PM
Leaking worse now from pulley shaft bearing and whining so a new pump is going in on Monday. Bought it from Auto Krafters. It's made by Lares. I painted it teal. Personal preference.
------------- Thanks,Ed
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Posted By: ELT
Date Posted: 10-August-2025 at 3:07PM
All done...perfect! I have the original Ford pump for you to rebuild if you desire originality.
------------- Thanks,Ed
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Posted By: Rockatansky
Date Posted: 10-August-2025 at 3:34PM
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DIRC the Thompson PS pump fluid level gauges spec'd Type F ?
------------- 72 GT Ute
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Posted By: 72FordGTS
Date Posted: 11-August-2025 at 3:33PM
I used Type F in my Thompson pump when I overhauled the steering system and zero issues, very quiet especially for a Ford Pump. That said, the company that built my steering box said I could use PS or Type F. I erred on the side of caution.
------------- Vince
1972 Ford GTS Sportsroof - Survivor, One Family car
GTS.org Admin
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Posted By: ELT
Date Posted: 25-August-2025 at 12:51PM
Agreed! I did the same. No issues.
------------- Thanks,Ed
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