grinding and rumbeling when steering
 

Hi,
I have a 1999 windstar. When I turn the steering wheel there is a grinding noise, I topped of the power steering fluid and it almost goes away, but as I am driving the noise come back. I seems to lose fluid when I am driving , but does not leak when it is sitting still? Do you think it is the pump or the steering rack? any input would be a breat help.

RE: grinding and rumbeling when steering
 

You just need to fill up the fluid and get your hands dirty. Put the van up on jackstands. Look closely at the steering pump input shaft that the pulley attaches to, make sure thats dry. Follow both PS lines wherever they go and check both output ends of the rack where the bellows boots are. If the leak is so bad that you have to add fluid, some of it will be reaching the ground. Can't tell you what it is from here. Some things like finding leaks are just not possible through a forum. I can say that both the rack and pinion and the pump are fairly common to spring leaks.

RE: grinding and rumbeling when steering
 

Leaky power steering racks are VERY common these vans!! I have personally replaced many when I used to work at a local mechainc shop, most of them we would just rebuild because of how easy and cheap it is, but some we would replace also. I think we used to buy our kits from www.pskits.com (of course we had a discounted business account) but I think they are still relatively low priced.