Over the past couple of weeks, what I think is my power steering pump has been making a louder whirring noise than usual. Fluid levels are fine. Mainly happens when I'm turning the wheel further, for example pulling out of a junction. The whirring noise is also there when the car is in motion mainly in the lower gears. The noise is coming from behind the steering wheel, sounds just like the pump would usually sound but has got louder. Maybe a problem with the front axle, something rubbing?

Not really sure what it is, maybe it will just dissapear altogether eventually? Has anyone else experienced this, would be great to hear your views or advice!

It might be your pressure relief pump if your getting a whining noise. Sometimes it can be caused by a wheel bearing that might have gone, or the steering rack valve. Get ford to take a look at it but your warranty should cover all three.

Just been reading another post made by someone with similar problem. Yeh need to get Ford to look at it. I'm still under warranty, but shouldnt be having problems like this with a 3 year old car!

Stuff possibly shouldn't go wrong so soon. But the other way of looking at it is... it's better that if anything does go that it happens whilst it is still under warranty and you don't have to fork out. Mine needed a new power steering pump after two years, and the cambelt replaced just six weeks before the warranty ran out. Fingers crossed thats all thats went wrong so far.

I know a couple of people have had serious problems, and had to take theirs in a ridiculous amount of times, but I think that that was just very bad luck for them.

im having the exact same noise at the moment, it started about 2 weeks ago and is getting louder. the way i would describe the noise would be kind of super chargerish. might blast it down to tc harrison and get it looked at. mine is 18 months old.

Mine wasnt a whirring noise but a creaking noice. I had it serviced at Ford & asked them to check the steering rack & PAS pump & they said everything was in order but they did lube up with silicone spray all pins and joints and the initial noise has gone. How long it take to come back is anyone's guess. This would of course happen a month after my 3 year warranty runs out..

My warranty expires in november so I hope my power steering does not screw up past then if this is a common fault!

My warranty runs out in December, the cars booked in for next Friday to be looked at. Keep you posted.

GOOD NEWS - Had a new P/S pump fitted yesterday, running as new now!
BAD NEWS - I got to have a new £450 steering rack fitted aswell?! I'm hoping this will be done under warranty too!

This might be the last time I buy a Ford!!!!!

£450 steering rack lol, what you done to it?

I wouldn't think it's Ford's fault that the steering rack needs changing but that sounds odd and very dear!! get a second opinion!

£450? I've been quoted nearer £600 for one but if you look around... errr.. other forums you see them come up for sale now & then for about £100 (but then you need it fitted etc etc)

Apparantly the rack was Ford's fault too! They say the power steering fluid in the pump was contaminated which led to the power steering pump needing replacing and causing further damage to the rack. The warranty company sent out a technician to look at it and they agreed to pay for the whole lot! Thank God I extended my warranty one more year, or I'd be £800 out of pocket!

Ooooh was your PAS fluid black because mine is... I have had the rack looked at by Ford and they said it all seems fine but there's this niggly doubt you know?

I might have to look at an extended warranty you know.