I have been getting a loud squealing noise from my engine compartment. I thought it might have been my belt but now am unsure. It was a random squeal, now it sounds like there is a bolt or something bouncing around. It seems to be coming from around my power steering. Are there bearings inside that can go bad? If so, I think that may be it. Just wanted some advice from anyone else who might have had a simular situation. Its a 95 Cobra. Thanks for any help.
If it is coming from the power steering pump you should be able to idle the car, and turn the steering wheel from lock to lock. If the whine increases while you turn the wheel its the pump, or needs fluid. Otherwise you could buy some spray for the belt to help stop the squeal if it is slipping.
you can also check your belt tensioner wile the car is off! Too see if there is a lot of play in the belt istelf, or the tensioner spring is weak. The alternator will squeal pretty good when the bearings, or the stators are going out. It would sound like a shh shhh schhchchhcch ing sound.
good luck.
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DSS 331 stroker, AFR 185 heads, Performer rpm 2 intake, Accufab 75 mm race TB, 30lb injectors, 80 mm Pro-M mass air, Extreme energy cam 266.
Anderson ford power pipe the big one, Ford motor sport shorty headers, Bassani x pipe custom cat back with flows, World class T5, center force duel friction clutch.
A squeal is one thing - bolts rattling around is something else again.
Its possible the squeal was being caused by sporadic stoppage of an accessory that was losing its bearings or clutch. This would cause the belt to rub on that stationary or slow-moving pulley, causing a squeal.
Water pump, A/C compressor, or power steering pump could all be the culprits. If the bearings are now breaking up, that component is not long for this world. Sometimes when this happens, the pulley or pulley shaft will deflect and the pulley will start banging against something, too, hence "bolts rattling around".
Is the car running hot (or hotter than normal)? This might indicate a bad water pump.
As mustanghelper indicated, does the sound change when you move the steering wheel lock to lock? If so, this might indicate a bad ps pump.
Does your A/C work? Does the noise get louder when the compressor cuts on?
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tripleblack
"You can never be free until you let yourself go."
I am about 95% sure it is the power steering pump bearings. The sound doesn't change when I turn the wheel only when I up the RPM's. I sounds like metal on metal with no lubricants.
I think you should get a second, or third opinion from a mechanic.
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DSS 331 stroker, AFR 185 heads, Performer rpm 2 intake, Accufab 75 mm race TB, 30lb injectors, 80 mm Pro-M mass air, Extreme energy cam 266.
Anderson ford power pipe the big one, Ford motor sport shorty headers, Bassani x pipe custom cat back with flows, World class T5, center force duel friction clutch.
I am about 95% sure it is the power steering pump bearings. The sound doesn't change when I turn the wheel only when I up the RPM's. I sounds like metal on metal with no lubricants.
what color is the powersteering fluid? if the pump was that gone, the fluid would be grey and you basically wouldnt have power steering. another accessory that no one mentioned is the secondary air pump. those make noise when they are worn and make a whining noise kinda like a power steering pump. locate the noise for sure because the air pump is on the bottom passenger side corner while i believe the power steering pump is on the other side of the engine compartment.
btw the powersteering pump doesnt really have any bearings. the shaft turns vanes inside the pump.
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Its definatly coming from right around the power steering pump. Otherwise the car seems to be fine other than the loud noise which stops after driving for a while. Don't get me wrong the car is currently parked util I can get a professional opinion.
Does the belt sound kind of like a very feint whine (almost superhcarger like whine) and the whine gets louder as you get up increase in rpms? What would that be?
1995 Cobra Mustang Engine Compartment Nasty Noises? 
