The Power Steering might whine on a 1998 Mercury Mountaineer because the pump or reservoir is low on fluid. Check the reservoir and add fluid to eliminate the whine. You may have a leak in the system.
Your power steering is low on fluid .. Top it up
Fill your power steering fluid. When you get low it will start to whine. Do this as quickly as possible, because replacing a power steering pump is not fun.
Have you checked your power steering fluid level..?
Low steering fluid can cause a steering wheel to whine when turning. A worn steering belt can also cause a steering wheel to whine when a car is being turned.
Trun your steering wheel to full lock left and right and hold it in full lock (One side at a time) for about 10 seconds if it is the steering pump that is whicning the whine sound will change when in full lock.
this can be a number of reasons for ex, power steering ,altenater,or oilpump
You may need to add some power steering fluid to the steering reseviour.
Check the power steering fluid level under the hood.
Check your power steering fluid level...Most likely it is a fluid level problem. My 1994 S10 will whine when its level is low. Fill'er up and whine goes away. Hope this helps...
Check the tension on the belt. A power steering pump will whine if there is too much belt tension, putting pressure on the side of the pulley.
If the noise sounds like a power steering whine it could be caused by the A/C compressor clutch bearing or the belt idler pulley.
IF ITS NOT LOW ON FLUID THEN THE PUMP NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. IF ITS NOT LOW ON FLUID THEN THE PUMP NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.