My 2001 Powerstroke diesel just started making a loud noise when I turn the steering wheel or push on the brakes. I bought some PS fluid and tried to add some but it only took about 1/4th of the quart. The wheels still turn with-out much effort and the brakes work. I have never changed fluid or bleed the lines since I've had the truck for 20 years. Should I change the fluid and bleed the lines or does it sound like the pump is going out? What to do next? Thanks!

 

Your truck has a Hydroboost brake system. That means the power assist for the brakes is provided by the power steering pump.

If it never needed power steering fluid, and the noise came up suddenly, you might want to listen as close as possible to determine if the noise is coming from the power steering pump or somewhere else in the system. If loudest at the pump, might need to be replaced.

 

The sound did come up suddenly and gets much louder when I turn the steering wheel or push on the brake pedal. Diesel mechanics are hard to schedule with in my area. Would a power steering pump be something a novice like me could YouTube and switch out?

 

Some u tube videos are great and some are,, well something else.

There are some things you might not be prepared to do, such as switching pulleys from your old pump if it does not come with the pulley already installed. You might want to check that out..
Switching pump assys doesn't always go smoothly. Sometimes fittings break or require special tools to access. Make sure you do your homework before disabling your vehicle..

 

I watched a couple videos on replacing the power steering pump and didn't look like something I'm ready to jump in to. My luck, it wouldn't be the pump. I may change out the fluid and see if that helps. Sucks not having my truck.

 

How about we do this,

Call a shop or two and ask what they would charge to replace the PS pump on your vehicle, if it needs it.

At least you would get some idea of whether to invest in the tools or pay someone with them to do the job..

 

I visited a couple shops and asked if they do work like replacing a power steering pump. Both said they do but it would be a few weeks or longer before they could get to the job. So, I bought 4 quarts of Mercon V and after watching some YouTube videos, flushed the old ATF out and replaced it with the new. After a short drive the truck sounded and drove like it always did.
Thing is that while the brakes and steering were VERY loud before, it wasn't any harder to turn the steering wheel or push the brake pedal. Is it possible that dirty power steering fluid could make the pump malfunction the way it did or could this be the first sign that the pump is on its way out? Or something else?

 

To follow up on the ongoing saga with my power steering issue, after I flushed out the old fluid and replaced it with new fluid, I thought things might be fixed. Yesterday I got stranded after the pump went out completely. It started with an increasingly loud wine when I turned the steering wheel and a "Whoop" sound when I push on the brake pedal. There was good brake compression and the steering wheel turned easily, until the end. I tried to turn into a parking spot at Walmart and could barely turn the wheel. I made it to an automotive repair shop that occasionally works on the truck and called for a ride. I noticed that there was fluid under the truck and when I checked the power steering reservoir it was empty. Now a waiting game since they said it would be a few weeks to get to it.

 

To conclude this story, mechanic replaced both lines going to the hydro boost pump and problem fixed. Power steering pump is working fine.

 

Always nice to get good news. Thank You for the update.