Steering Wheel - Slight Whirling Sound

Eurythmian

Well-Known LVC Member
Joined
Apr 29, 2009
Messages
268
Reaction score
1
Location
Arlington
2005 V6 LS

I've started to notice a very slight whirling sound and resistance in the steering column when I make turns. Can only hear it if I don't have music playing. It feels like a very slight resistance/rubbing. Almost as if something needs to be greased.

I've done a search and everything I have found talks about power steering pumps and fluid. Or front suspension issues. My car has less than 42K on it and the suspension has never been modified. It's all original so there shouldn't be any issues with extra stress on front end parts.

Any ideas?
 
Found an article on adding Motorcraft Friction Modifier XL-3 to the power steering fluid.

This is what I found - Could this be what I need to do?
-------------------------------------------------------------

Your 2002 wouldn't appear to apply to this, but: TSB 06-5-16
03/20/06
STEERING GEAR SQUEAK WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL DURING LOW SPEED PARKING MANEUVERS FORD:
2003-2005 Thunderbird LINCOLN:
2003-2005 Lincoln LS, Aviator This article supersedes TSB 4-10-1 to update the vehicle model years.

ISSUE
Some 2003-2005 Thunderbird, Aviator, and Lincoln LS vehicles may exhibit steering gear squeak when turning the steering wheel, especially during low speed parking maneuvers. The noise may sound like it is coming from the steering column area and may be felt as a roughness in the steering wheel, while turning. ACTION
Refer to the following Service Procedure.

SERVICE PROCEDURE
NOTE: USE ONLY THE FLUID AND ADDITIVE SPECIFIED IN THIS ARTICLE. USING ANY OTHER FLUIDS OR ADDITIVES MAY RESULT IN SEAL DETERIORATION AND LEAKS.
1. Open the hood and remove the power steering reservoir cap.
2. Raise the vehicle on a hoist. Refer to Workshop Manual, Section 100-00.
3. With engine off, drain power steering fluid by disconnecting steering lines and clamp plate from steering gear. Refer to Steering Gear Removal and Installation procedure in Workshop Manual, Section 211-00, follow only the steps required to disconnect the steering lines.
4. Turn steering wheel lock-to-lock to drain fluid completely.
5. Reconnect steering lines and clamp plate to steering gear. Torque retainer to 15 N.m (11 lb-ft) for Lincoln LS and Thunderbird, torque to 25 N.m (18 lb-ft) for Aviator.
6. Lower vehicle.
7. In a clean container mix 50 ml (10 teaspoons or 1.7 oz.) of Motorcraft Additive Friction Modifier, Part Number XL-3, with 50 ml of Motorcraft MERCON(R) Multi-Purpose Automatic Transmission Fluid, Part Number XT-2-QDX. NOTE DO NOT PERFORM STEPS 8 AND 9 ON A HOT VEHICLE.
8. Pour the above mixture into the power steering reservoir.
9. Top off (fill) the power steering system with Motorcraft MERCON(R) Multi-Purpose Automatic Transmission Fluid, Part Number XT-2-QDX and reinstall the power steering reservoir cap.
10. Raise vehicle on hoist enough so the front wheels are off the ground and can be turned from lock-to-lock.
11. Start the engine and keep it at idle. Remain inside of the vehicle.
12. Slowly cycle the steering wheel from lock-to-lock for two (2) minutes.
13. Quickly and forcefully turn the steering wheel in one direction to full lock (either side). Bounce the steering wheel on/off of full lock twenty (20) times forcefully. NOTE IT IS CRITICAL THAT THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED QUICKLY AND FORCEFULLY IN ORDER TO CREATE A PRESSURE SPIKE IN THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM.
14. Repeat Step 13 in the other direction. Return the steering wheel to on center position.
15. Slowly turn steering wheel to full lock in one direction (either direction) to achieve maximum pump pressure. Hold at full lock for one (1) second, then turn the steering wheel back 90 degrees as quickly as possible. Repeat this procedure twenty (20) times. NOTE DO NOT HOLD THE STEERING WHEEL AGAINST THE STOPS FOR MORE THAN THREE TO FIVE (3-5) SECONDS AT A TIME. DAMAGE TO THE POWER STEERING PUMP MAY OCCUR.
16. Repeat Step 15 in the other direction.
17. Cycle the steering wheel slowly for 1 minute to confirm that the squeak is corrected and return vehicle to the customer. NOTE IF THE SQUEAK CONTINUES, REPEAT STEPS 13-16 ONE ADDITIONAL TIME. IF THE SQUEAK IS STILL NOT CORRECTED PROCEED TO STEP 18.
18. If the squeak is still present after performing Step 17, replace the steering gear. Refer to Workshop Manual, Section 211-00 for removal and installation procedures.

WARRANTY STATUS: Eligible Under Provisions Of New Vehicle Limited Warranty Coverage
 
I didn't use the Ford stuff, but that's exactly what I did. I put it in and drove around for a few days and the noise was gone instead of going through that whole procedure.
 
I didn't use the Ford stuff, but that's exactly what I did. I put it in and drove around for a few days and the noise was gone instead of going through that whole procedure.

Going to pick some of this stuff up on the way home tonight.

What did you product buy?
 
I just bought whatever AutoZone had laying around. I think it was in a blue tube? I've used that stuff before in the trans of my 95 VIII to cure the torque converter shudder and it worked wonders.
 
If I can't find the Motorcraft stuff... I'll ask the Autozone guys.

Thanks - I'll let you know how it turns out.
 
Good deal. If you're like me and couldn't be bothered to go through that whole drawn out procedure, give it a couple of days to work its way through the system before it goes away. It'll eventually work, as I so impatiently found out. :D
 
Stopped at the Local FORD/Lincoln Mercury Dealership and picked up a bottle of this Motorcraft Friction Modifier XL-3 - for a little over 5 bucks. Got home poured it in the reservoir bottle and the the problem stopped as soon as I started turning the wheel from side to side.

I did crank the wheel all the way to the each side at least 10 times and the problem has completely went away.

$5.00 fix. Can't beat that!

Awesome guys!
Thanks.
 
I gotta get on that as well. I reckon there shouldn't be a problem with having too much PS fluid?
 
Mime was slightly low and it's only a 4oz bottle. So I didn't have an issue.

I'm guessing you could remove 4oz and then pour in the XL-3.
 
+1 -- I had this problem, but it was quite random and I could never get it to reproduce itself when I wanted it to. However, I did find the same article, but rather than going through the whole procedure I just poured it in. I have not had a problem since.
 
+1 -- I had this problem, but it was quite random and I could never get it to reproduce itself when I wanted it to. However, I did find the same article, but rather than going through the whole procedure I just poured it in. I have not had a problem since.

That's pretty much what I did. But I did crank the wheel from side to side till it stopped about 12 to 15 times. Remember not to hold the wheel at it's stop point... back off a little so you don't damage the power steering pump.

As I did this - the noise and resistant feeling softly went away. It's been two days now and the power steering to completely smooth. Love it! Love it! Love it!
 
I have this problem too, gonna grab some of this stuff asap. At least theres one cheap fix on this car. lol
 
I did this on my 2004 a little less than a year ago. It took a few of days of driving and the whining went away.
About 3 weeks ago and 14,000 miles later, it has come back. It's worse some days and almost non existant others.
I think this time around I am going to flush the old fluid out and replace it with fresh new fluid.
 
I actually just recently developed this sound and will be adding the little bottle of XL-3 I have once I change the PS fluid. It's almost surely going to be cheaper to pick it up if you have a nearby dealer. Think it was 7$ with tax at mine.
 
are you guys actually draining the old fluid then filling?

or just topping off?
i really dont feel like going through that procedure lol.

i get a whirrr when im turning, but it seems to be more common in the winter.
doesnt bother me though.
 
are you guys actually draining the old fluid then filling?

or just topping off?
i really dont feel like going through that procedure lol.

i get a whirrr when im turning, but it seems to be more common in the winter.
doesnt bother me though.


I didnt disconnect the line. I just siphoned all the fluid out of the reservoir and filled that up with the specified amounts of mercon/XL3 specified and topped it off. used one of those $4 siphons from walmart
 
so oem fluid was still in the lines, you just basically emptied the res and filled with this stuff?

is the oem fluid in the res the same as this xl-3 fluid?
 

Members online

Back
Top