Power Steering Rattle

[Xaenyth]

Hello everyone,

I did a bad, bad thing. A few weekends ago there was a big mudding event called Muddi Gras. My friends all went out in their big 4x4's and ATVs and I took the Mustang to just camp out and enjoy the dirt.

Well there was a huge, flat grass field out on the back of the property and I took the Mustang out and fooled around a little too much. The donuts were perfect but my power steering pump suffered dearly for my little stint offroad.

At first I didn't have any power steering at idle, but this went away after a day. I figured I had some dirt or something on the belt that cleared up when I put some miles on it. That was until this week. Now the pump screams when I'm a idle and if I hit full left or full right, it rattles. I kid you not, it sounds like a cowbell. Just a loud, repeating clang like the pump is ready to explode.

Now a few of my friends believe I knocked it loose but I'm not so certain. Have I screwed my power steering pump? Has anyone else done something this stupid with the same result, or their pump started producing the same noise?

Halp!

 

[tmcolegr]

.....

 

[Gold'n'Black]

sounds stupid did but check the power steering fluid level

 

[Xaenyth]

Yes, I have. I just took the belt off and confirmed everything's tight. Put it back on and it still rattles but only at full wheel lock. The thing sounds like Chewbacca on crack. The good news is nothing looks physically broken or damaged on the outside, so it may have shredded a tooth in the pump.

Looks like I'll have to make a warranty appointment.

 

[don_w]

Looks like I'll have to make a warranty appointment.

Make sure all the mud is washed off first.

 

[Xaenyth]

The car's been thoroughly cleaned and detailed since that weekend. Everything under the hood looks brand new again. I'll have to put the stock exhaust back on before I take it in, just in case, but I got a real good look at all the mounts and hoses and there's nothing wrong.

In fact, I just priced a new pump and it may be cheaper for me to replace it myself than pay the $100 deductible. I've wanted to do a fluid flush on it anyway and right now is the perfect time to get all that stuff done before the heat kicks back up here in central Florida.

 

[JeremyH]

Drain the fluid put in some new fluid with squeak stop first and see if that helps, then look at replacing the ps pump.