Trucked started making a whirring sound when at low speeds 25mph or less

My truck has just started making a whirring sound no idea what it is but I believe it's the power steering pump. It only happens when I'm driving slow and turning. If anyone has a better guess I'm all for it it's my first vehicle.

 

It would really help if you could upload a video. You're probably on the right track, but to hear it would be useful.

 

I have no idea how to do that

 

You'll need to upload to YouTube and then copy and paste the link to this thread. That's the easiest way.

 

These trucks are known to moan naturally with power steering, to a degree. Enough that, coming from the GM Truck world, I thought the power steering pump was going bad and thought maybe I needed to replace, but it wasn't the case, it's just their SOP.

Is your power steering fluid level ok?

Is your power steering fluid red, or clear? (should be red, DexIII ATF is what's required)

Lower ball joints regularly kill these trucks, you need to be really careful to only use OEM lower ball joints, and inspect them, replace if clearly not OEM. They would lead to difficulty in steering, and potentially make groaning noises if they're close to failure. This would be my #1 concern right now, because failure in motion can total your truck, and it's such a well-known, serious problem (aftermarket lower ball joints) destroying these trucks that I'd be worried.

It's possible your Power Steering Air Control Valve has failed and is no longer assisting with steering vacuum, which may or may not add more strain? There's a simple test to check; it's also possible something stupid, like, its vacuum hose is detached.

Symptoms you describe could also be a bad wheel bearing.

LBJ and bad wheel bearing are something you can potentially test for easily, but in my current location, I can't help out with links/info. I may not have internet in the next 5-10 minutes.

 

Yeah ive been needing to getting around to do it since I bought it at 168k miles but unfortunately don't have the money to do it as I'm in a tight situation the sound stopped though as it got hotter today and the reservoir isn't empty

 

I'll have to do it tommorow morning the sound disappeared

 

These trucks are old. Got to expect some noises. Hell, I'm old. I make weird noises when I move too.
In all seriousness though, upload a vid.

What do you know about the history of the vehicle? Timing belt? Lower ball joints? Those rank above noisy power steering.

 

From what I know from previous owner they did a lot of front end work unknown to me what they did exactly I brought it from Belgrade Montana to Washington. When I went lock to lock with my steering the whirring noise got super loud and last time I had my truck up on a lift was a few months ago and the tires didn't move other than steering. I havent checked under for any leaks from power steering ill have to look tommorow. Lower ball joints have been on my mind for awhile, I just need some money first

 

https://youtube.com/shorts/Vzmj3SN_H0Y?si=a1Rt-XyoiTRpCo8I here's a vid

 

https://youtube.com/shorts/Vzmj3SN_H0Y?si=a1Rt-XyoiTRpCo8I

 

https://youtube.com/shorts/Vzmj3SN_H0Y?si=a1Rt-XyoiTRpCo8I

 

Did some looking found power steering fluid on my rack and pinion idk if the fluid got forced out when I was driving down a steep road or what but, if its a leak in the hose I'm not excited

 

I don’t have headphones to listen more closely, and the exhaust drone makes it tough to hear shit; but with the volume all the way up on my phone, it sounds almost like you’ve got air in your lines. That’s a sound I expect to hear in a hydraulic system when air has entered the fluid. I can’t even see you moving the steering wheel, though?

If you are showing a fluid leak somewhere, pinpoint the leak source. If it’s due to a loose fitting, for example, you may have inadvertently induced air into the system from that leak.

or alternately, quick sanity check…

Lift both front wheels in the air by jacking up at the appropriate spot on the front crossmember, chock the back wheels (or set parking brake), start the engine, and move the steering wheel lock to lock a dozen times to help clear air out of the system. Does the groaning continue to appear, from start to finish, at the same volume? If it reduces or goes away, air is being introduced, probably at your leak site.

 

I did have headphones on, and I can't definitively distinguish the sound. Since you didn't move the steering wheel, I have a hard time associating it with PS pump. It almost sounds to me like something in the transmission. Like maybe the torque converter is locked up? I dunno... Have you checked all fluids, specifically the transmission.

 

Its the pump found a leak on the rack and pinion

 

A leak on the rack does not necessarily constitute a failing pump unless the fluid has been allowed to get seriously low or as @shifty` said air has been introduced due to a loose fitting or cracked hose. But then I would expect to see a shitload of fluid on everything. You've said you're short on funds, so I'm just trying to pinpoint this thing so you don't start throwing expensive parts at it.

 

Pump is on the front of the engine. R&P is back below the swaybar at the rear of the engine.

The pumps on these trucks virtually never fail. I've never seen a factory pump fail yet, out of all the other part failures people report. I have seen people replace the pump because it groaned, or it sounded loud, or they thought it failed. Only to find the OEM pump was quieter and hadn't failed.

If your pump indeed did fail, and you replace it, be sure to circle back. It'll be a fascinating 1-off case for us. But before you replace it, try what i mentioned to evacuate air from the lines.

He did move the steering wheel. He just moved it over and the pump was cycling on and off. Note the wheel is at 2 o'clock.

 

I haven't really had power steering for a bit, it worked sometimes and didn't work at times. I planned on replacing it or unclogging it though

 

Checking hoses and fittings, topping up with Dextron III and adding some

$15 AT-205 Re-Seal Stops Leaks, 8 Ounce Bottle

AT-205 is going to be worth a shot before replacing parts.

ETA, I'd flush it through with ATF rather than just top up. It's quick, easy and inexpensive.

 

Yeah im at work rn gonna grab a crescent wrench from my lead and tighten the fittings after work, I'll have to see where I can get at 205 and is that for power steering?

 

Yes, it rejuvenates seals. Can be used in engines too. Just be sure to read the bottle for 'dosage'. You only need an ounce or two for the power steering. Add it after flushing and almost topped off.

 

This extra info makes me thing your power steering air control or its vacuum hoses may be bad. Did the truck ever seem like it bogs down (RPM) while turning?