Hard to turn vehicle when car is idling. No leaking of power steering fluid under the car

ANSWER : Hi there. Chances are the power steering pump is at fault for the steering wheel being hard to turn both directions at idle. It could be, a faulty power steering pressure switch not sending a signal to the computer to raise engine rpm (revolutions per minute) to compensate for power steering load at idle. The power steering fluid level being low, indicates there is a power steering fluid leak even though, your not seeing it on the ground. Replacing components without proper diagnoses, can be expensive and time consuming without resolution. I recommend having your vehicle’s steering wheel is hard to turn at idle be diagnosed and repaired by a certified technician, such as one from YourMechanic.

ANSWER : A power steering fluid leak can certainly be from the pump shaft seal. Also, since high pressure lines also connect to the power steering pump and reservoir, one of them can also possibly leak due to a faulty fitting or break in one of the hoses themselves. Have a certified technician inspect the system to find the leak as soon as possible. Since the system relies on the fluid for cooling and lubrication as well as providing high pressure, prolonged running with low fluid levels, can damage the power steering pump as well as the power steering box.

ANSWER : With a power steering fluid leak that big, you certainly should have the vehicle inspected as soon as possible to find the exact cause. Any of the components you listed can be the source of the leak. The power steering pump as well as the rack & pinion steering unit rely on the fluid for lubrication as well as cooling. The whining you hear is from the pump when the fluid runs low or empty. Your issue can be caused by something as simple as a fluid hose right now, but continued ’running dry" of the power steering fluid, can result in damage to both the pump and the rack & pinion unit. If that happens, you can take what may be a repair of a few hundred dollars and turn it into a repair of a couple of thousand dollars.

ANSWER : Hello. A groaning noise is an indication of low power steering fluid. If you had your power steering fluid serviced about 5 months ago and it is making a groaning noise again most likely means your power steering pump has gone bad or your power steering leak has going from minor to moderate. I can tell you that Honda Accords are one of the most common vehicles for a power steering pump leak to occur on and require a pump replacement. If not a leaking pump it could be power steering hose leaking fluid. I suggest that you have a power steering fluid leak inspection done otherwise you will have to keep filling up your power steering reservoir until it is fixed.

https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/power-steering-fluid-is-leaking-inspection

ANSWER : Hi there. If everything else has already been installed from the donor vehicle then it sounds like the high pressure hose is all that you need to install. The hardest part of doing this is the routing. One thing you may also want to double check is that the donor vehicle and your 2003 Escape have the same rack. There are different models depending on the model and the size of your wheels. You need to install the pressure line first, but if it does not line up then you may have the wrong rack installed. If you would like some assistance installing this hose, consider YourMechanic, as a certified mechanic can come to you to [replace your high pressure steering hose] https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/power-steering-pressure-hose-replacement

ANSWER : This suggests that you may have a leak somewhere else in your power steering system such as one of the hoses or the rack and pinion system. As you may know, the power steering system is a highly pressurized system that can have as much as 300+psi of pressure in the system at times, so it is not uncommon for these types of leaks to happen. If you’d like to get this fixed, I would recommend having an expert from YourMechanic come to your location to diagnose the leak in your power steering system and make the the necessary repairs to fix it.

ANSWER : Hello…it sounds like you have a loose or faulty hose connection. Of course, it is also possible that a coincidental leak developed, for instance in a rusted steel tube on the return side, at the same time that you were doing this repair. A YourMechanic specialist could diagnosis this for you and assist you with the repair of your power steering and inspect your vehicle for leaks.

ANSWER : The only way to determine if the collision caused damage is to carefully MEASURE the alignment and, as well, the frame dimensions using a tram. If those steps have not been specifically taken, what the mechanics have told you about "no damage" is meaningless. If the dealer has told you there is a problem with the steering rack, there very well could be and that possibility should be investigated. If the rack is faulty, it should be repaired or replaced. There is not supposed to be any clunking noises when you turn the steering wheel. The fact that there is a noise indicates a problem. The noise could be due to a problem with the strut bearing that allows the strut to turn freely with the steering knuckle, a defective tie rod end, a sway bar link or component and so forth. If you have hydraulically (not electric) assisted powered steering, loss of power assist could be due to a fault with the pump, the pump drive belt, or rack. Based on what you are describing, I would recommend you request a steering inspection – intermittent loss of assist and the responding certified mechanic will pinpoint the origin of the noise, as well as the cause of loss of assist, and get the required repairs implemented. With regard to the possibility of damage to the suspension and/or frame due to the collision, the ONLY way to determine that is to have those components measured using the appropriate tools and having in hand the Factory Service Manual which contains every relevant frame measurement for reference. You CANNOT visually look at a vehicle and determine if it is straight and undamaged because some of the specifications are measured within tens of thousandths of an inch (toe, for example) or tiny fractions of a degree (wheel camber). A carefully selected shop with trained individuals will have to perform such an inspection. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.