Tight steering on 01 Windstar. No sound from power

your power steering pump may be failing, the system is restricted check for clogged filter and check pump pressure, the steering gear (box or rack) may also be binding, check also for worn ball joints or bent links.

You need to first diagnose what is leaking. Most power steering leaks are in the pressure hose but not always. Pressure hoses will have screw on fittings and return hoses will usually just have spring clamps or screw type clamps on the end of the hose. Pressure hose most likely, return hoses 2nd, failing rack and pinion assy 3rd and pressure pump last. If its leaking from the bellows on the end of the rack and pinion the you will need a reman unit. Presure pumps are also remanufactured if thats what you need. hoses are replaced with new hoses or standard return hose for the return line.

it sounds like it is pumping too much pressure, you need to take the vehicle to a power steering specialist & have the pressure adjusted otherwise you will just keep bursting hoses or the seals on the steering rack......hope this helps.....cheers.

if the power steering fluid is leaking out of the pump itself then replace the pump add fluid and bleed all the air out of the system.the whining noise was the pump being low on fluid causing air to get into the system.if the leak is not the pump itself then you will have to find out if or which line power steering line is leaking,and replace the hose.the frothy mettalic look is the result of air in the power steering system.you may have to have it towed to a shop to have it repaired.if you changed just one plug why not all the plugs,this could be why it is running rough again,maybe even ignition wires especially if they are the original wires(10 years is good)

you are leaking power steering fluid. the high pressure line is the most common problem with windstars. other leakable parts are the rack and pinion, power steering pump, low pressure line or power steering reservoir.

ALL YOU NEED IS A FLARE NUT WRENCH.THE OTHER END OF HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE GOES TO THE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR.

Sounds like your power steering fluid is low, you may have a power steering leak, look for fluid draining out of your vehicle, wet spots on the ground etc. The system can leak from the hoses between the pump and the steering rack, from the steering rack itself, from the pump itself. Check all of these items to determine which is leaking, you will have to fill the power steering fluid to find the leak. If this sounds like way too much, then take it to your favorite repair shop and have them take a look. Hope this helps, let me know.

rack and-or pinion... Good thing the 98 is a very good and popular windstar, its not as bad as it sounds.

if fluid is flowing out the bellows, you need to replace the steering rack assembly. There is no fluid in the area of the inner tie rod. The seal is just before the tie rod.

Steering Gear
The power rack and pinion steering gear is serviced as a power steering short rack (3L547). The front wheel spindle tie rods (3280) and tie rod ends (3A130) are serviced individually. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

• The power rack and pinion steering gear incorporates quick connect fittings for the power steering pressure hose (3A719) and power steering return hose (3A713) that allow the lines to swivel. This is normal and does not indicate loose fittings.
• If the fittings leak, check to make sure they are tightened to 14-20 Nm (10-14 lb-ft). Do not overtighten.
• If the leak is not corrected, replace the fitting seals.

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Section 11-02: Steering System, Power 1997 Windstar Workshop Manual
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION Tie Rod End Steering Gear Installed
Removal

1. Remove and discard cotter pin and nut from worn tie rod end (3A130).
   

1. Disconnect tie rod end from front wheel knuckle (3K185), using Tie Rod End Remover TOOL-3290-D or equivalent.
   

1. Hold tie rod end with a wrench and loosen tie rod end jam nut.
   

1. Note depth to which tie rod end was located by using the jam nut as a marker. Grip tie rod end with a pair of suitable pliers and remove tie rod end from front wheel spindle tie rod (3280).
   

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11-02: Steering System, Power 1997 Windstar Workshop Manual
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION Steering Gear Removal

1. Raise vehicle on a twin post hoist and remove wheel and tire assemblies. Refer to Section 00-02 .
   
   
   
   
   

1. Support vehicle with jackstands under front jack pads.
   

1. Remove tie-rod end cotter pins and nuts and remove tie rod ends (3A130) from front wheel knuckle (3K185). Refer to Section 04-01 .
   

1. Remove front stabilizer bar (5482). Refer to Section 04-01 .
   

1. Disconnect heated oxygen and catalyst monitor sensors.
   

1. Support flex pipe.
   

1. Remove bolts and disconnect flex pipe from the converter.
   

1. Raise dash opening steering column opening weather seal (3513) (secondary) above the steering gear housing (3548).
   

1. Remove pinch bolt retaining steering column intermediate shaft coupling (3A525) to power steering gear input shaft and control (3D517) and disconnect the shaft.
   

1. Remove nuts from steering gear-to-front subframe retaining bolts. Remove bolts.
   

1. Remove rear subframe-to-body retaining bolts.
   

1. Lower twin post hoist carefully until rear of subframe (5R003) separates from body, approximately four inches.
   

1. Remove heat shield band and fold shield down.
   

1. Rotate power rack and pinion steering gear to clear bolts from front subframe (5C145) and pull left to facilitate line fitting removal.
   

1. Place a drain pan under vehicle and remove line fittings.
   

1. Remove power rack and pinion steering gear through LH wheel well.
   

1. Remove and discard the O-rings.
   

Installation

1. Install new Teflon® O-rings on line fittings as outlined.
   

1. Place steering gear retaining bolts in steering gear housing.
   

1. Install power rack and pinion steering gear through LH wheel well.
   

1. Install power steering line fittings to power rack and pinion steering gear.
   

1. Position power rack and pinion steering gear into front subframe.
   

1. Install ******** heat shield.
   

1. Install tie-rod ends to front wheel knuckle. Install nuts and new cotter pins. Refer to Section 04-01 .
   

1. Install LH front stabilizer bar. Refer to Section 04-01 .
   

1. Install steering gear to subframe mounting nuts. Tighten to 115-135 Nm (85-99 lb-ft).
   

1. Raise hoist until rear subframe contacts body.
   

1. Install rear subframe to body retaining bolts. Tighten to 113-153 Nm (83-112 lb-ft).
   

1. Install exhaust system flex tube to dual converter Y pipe (5F250) and remove flex tube support.
   

1. Connect heated oxygen and catalyst monitor sensors.
   

1. Install tire and wheel assemblies. Tighten lug nuts (1012) to 115-142 Nm (85-104 lb-ft).
   

1. Using a new pinch bolt, install the steering column intermediate shaft coupling on the power steering gear input shaft and control and the lower steering column shaft. Tighten the pinch bolt to 34-46 Nm (25-33 lb-ft).
   

1. Position steering column opening weather seal (secondary) over the steering gear housing. Tighten nuts to 4.5-6.3 Nm (40-55 lb-in).
   

1. Remove jackstands and lower vehicle.
   

1. Fill power steering oil reservoir (3A697) with Premium Power Steering Fluid E6AZ-19582-AA or equivalent meeting Ford specification ESW-M2C33-F. Refer to Section 11-00 .
   

1. Check system for leaks and proper operation.
   
   

The steering sounds weird because the Power steering pump is starting to mix air into the fluid , it might make more noise turning than going straight. the places it most likely is leaking is the high pressure hose to the steering rack assembly , next would be the pump assembly , and the steering rack from there. the return line is more likely to have a seeping leak if any.

Hope this helps