1992 f150
 

Need to understand why the power steering fluid has a milky color to it.

Most of the time that is due to the fluid getting mixed with air . If the pump is pulling in air from a bad seal or suction side line or low fluid level, it can pull air in that way also if it is making noise that can be caused by air in the fluid. There must be a reason why you are asking this,what is happening?

Hey Hanky, my P/S just started the groaning noise from the pump. In your opinion (I have my own), would you just get the cheap old one at advance or go a little more upscale. Ive had success and failure with both, and wondered what you'd say about it. Thanks

Like a lot of folks I needed a power steering pump pronto and purchased an aftermarket one, I won't say from where, but it was fine for the first hundred or so miles then it started making noise and I should have known better and bought an OEM one. The replacement is worse than the one it replaced. Now you can tell us what your opinion is !
Thanks, good to hear from you again, hope all is well.

Well, to me it's a pig in a poke thing. I remember doing a FORD reman pump 5 times in a explorer identical to mine years ago, then getting really pissed at parts and made them get me the most inexpensive one they could find. Ford ones didn't last longer than about a month, and the El Cheapo lasted the life of the car (approx another 200k miles; I lived with this truck).
Since this is my ****box, and I really know that the Gods are probably going to frown upon this, I'm thinking of going the slightly more upscale version and hope for the best.
Maybe a shot of STP and a prayer to the East might help!

You do have to be on the lookout for off shore parts that appear to be from an OEM reman supplier, but are reboxed. Some parts managers buy cheap stuff to increase profit margins and sell them to unsuspecting customers. Was aware of this quite a while back , don't know if it is still going on.

Well, I took a chance on a Ford pump. No beuno. It makes more noise than the one I took off! My friend at the dealership I worked for tried to warn me. Oh well. Off for an aftermarket. Can't get much worse!