Whining noise in the steering

[shoot the band]

Hi all... been reading these forums for a few days, and I hope some of you more knowledge car people can help me out.

I bought a 2003 Lincoln LS yesterday with about 40,000 miles on it. Tonight on the way home it started doing a bit of a whining noise when I'm turning the steering wheel, but it stops if I'm not physically turning the wheel--even if the wheels are cranked off to one side.

It doesn't get worse the farther I turn it, but nor does it get better. It almost sounds like plastic on plastic grinding a bit or something...like something doesn't quite fit.

Power steering fluid? (if so, where do I check it, complete mechanic idiot here) Pump? Worse?

Thanks for reading, and any ideas you might have.

 

[jgnwi]

Not exactually sure what causes this but I have been told that the whine is a ford thing.

 

[gcwimmer]

Welcome.

If you don't have the Owners Manual you can down load it from TECH ARTICLES next to SEARCH at the top of the page. It will show you where, what and when to change fluids and the use of other features on you LS.

 

[shoot the band]

Thanks. I had a friend who is a mechanic take a quick listen tonight and he said it was probably the fluid just a little bit low plus the cold. He recommended an additive I can't think of the name of right now...

Good to know about the manual--I missed that when first exploring the site. My car did come with the manual, but the binding is shot and the pages are all mixed up...

 

[King03LS8]

I had the same problem in my '03 LS8. Seems that there is a known problem with the rack and pinion on most all of the '03 models and this needs to be changed out. Also, they will add a synthetic fluid if you don't already have this in it. Mine was fixed under warranty, it will only get worse if you don't address the problem soon.

 

[rainjacks]

Ford power steering is known for making a distinctive noise. I've had it on every ford vehicle I've owned except for my LS

87 Ranger
87 Thunderbird Turbo-coupe
94 Taurus
95 Windstar

They all had it, but the steering worked fine. Check the fluid levels and then either live with it, or start replacing components.

 

[NYC LS8]

I had the same problem in my '03 LS8. Seems that there is a known problem with the rack and pinion on most all of the '03 models and this needs to be changed out. Also, they will add a synthetic fluid if you don't already have this in it. Mine was fixed under warranty, it will only get worse if you don't address the problem soon.

What he said. Mine does this now. One day I'll get a new rack and put it in.