2000 whinning while steering

[kmichael30]

my 2000 windstar has a whinning noise when i turn the steering wheel i looked over the forum and i think it is the tie rod ends someone said the they need to be greased does this sound right and if so where are the grease fittings? or do i need to replace the tie rods. since i'm short on funds and if i have to replace the tie rod ends does this cost very much or could i just live with it. thank you very much for any info

[12Ounce]

Make sure your fluid level is high enough ... if too low, bubbles get entrained and can cause whining.

[wiswind]

Fluid level and condition for the power steering fluid.
Go by the dip stick that is part of the cap. Do no overfill. If you change the fluid....make sure that you use the correct fluid. I think you will need mercon rated transmission fluid for your power steering. If someone has added regular "power steering fluid" from the auto parts store.....that could be the cause of your sound....and the system will need to be flushed. You can do a search in this windstar forum for instructions on how to do that. The windstar tends to overheat the power steering fluid.....so changing it may be a good idea. The color should be redish. If it is brown and nasty....it needs to be changed. I have read posts about nasty smelling power steering fluid....but I think new fluid smells nasty.

Tie rod end greasing. You could do a search in this forum for "grease needle" and find instructions.
Point is, the original tie rod ends do not have any grease fittings....or way to add them (at least not on my '96). So there is no "correct" way to grease them. Some of us have bought a grease needle....available at most auto parts stores in the grease section. The grease needle has a nipple that the fitting end of your grease gun connects to. Then you pump until just a bit of grease comes out of the needle......and then poke the needle into the side of the rubber seal on the tie rod end. Then pump some grease into the joint. DO NOT OVER DO IT. You want to stop as soon as the rubber seal starts to move. This is nowhere near as good as having a grease fitting on the tie rod end....but I have done it to mine to extend the life of the joint. Some after market replacements have grease fittings. The rule for adding grease to these is also not to over do it.

[dhamer]

I had the same problem, but the fluid was fine. The dealer says there is a leak in the pump, air is getting in and causing cavitation. They say I need a new one $540 Cdn. + labour.

[rodeo02]

The power steering pump on our 2001 LX started whining shortly after we bought the van @ 34Kmi. The power steering fluid was a black smelly mess. The dealer flushed it for free and it has not whined since (almost two years 24Kmi later). The trans fluid was the same mess, be sure to address that as well!
G/luck
Joel