Canary94GT

I've been noticing a rubbing feel/sound when I turn my steering wheel on hot days. I noticed this last summer, and then it went away during winter, and now it has reappeared since the temperatures have warmed up recently.

It just feels a bit harder to turn the steering wheel and I can hear a rubbing-like noise as well as feel it.

Any ideas what would cause this?

Car is 94 GT with approximately 83,000 miles

mattdel

Hmm.. Can't say I've ever heard that one before. First off check tire pressures. Then... possibly the joints in the tie rods are drying out? IDK. Weird.

Canary94GT

Yeah, I was surprised I couldn't seem to find much about it in searches.

In my logic, it seems like something is either drying out or swelling up in the heat. When I had service done a few months ago, the mechanic said it could use a power steering flush, but I tend to ignore those things. Could that claim stand some ground though?

mattdel

Possibly. As with any hydraulic system, if the viscosity is lower than recommended, results are lower than expected. The increase in pressure required to turn because of thin fluid could cause a minor binding feeling.

dawson1112

Does it do this as soon as you start it up and go or does it take a little while to heat up and then start? Also could you get a audio clip of the noise your hearing on here for us?
Power steering flush ? maybe but highly unlikely. Could be a partially plugged up line or power steering cooler. Maybe a little air in the system a slight cavitation can sound a bit like rubbing and make it a little harder to turn.
I ran into a pump pully one time that when it got hot out and the engine warmed up the pulley would slide out on the shaft a bit and slip a little when it was cold it would hold solid was odd but must have been worn just enough.

Canary94GT

It happens as soon as I start it up on these hot days. I might be able to get someone to turn the wheel for me and have me record it and/or listen to where it might be coming from. Otherwise, it's kind of quiet from inside the cabin. But it's not just the sound - I can definitely feel it when I turn the wheel.

I will take a look next time I get a chance.

Canary94GT

I checked the fluid level and it is within the "FULL COLD", "FULL HOT" marks.

However, the fluid level is black and smells strongly. Not sure if it's supposed to be like that.

Also, I tried to listen to the noise from the engine compartment, but I was unable to hear the rubbing sound over the engine. On the other hand, there are other noises coming from the pump, but not sure if they are normal or not.

I recorded a video while someone turned the wheel back and forth, but the engine makes the noise sort of hard to hear.

mattdel

normal ford whine. the black fluid, however, is a symptom of a dead rack.

Canary94GT

Blah, how much would that cost in labor to be replaced?

mjr46

just flush the fluid, fluid gets dirty and burnt over time, doesn't always mean replace the rack, if steering assist is fine, flush and go