Power steering stopped, fluid level full, no visible leaks, after it failed heard loud whining noise, stopped engine, restarted several times then whining noise went away, power still not working but can manually turn wheels but very hard it is ram 1500, 2004, quad-cab v/8

A loud whining noise on acceleration in a 2010 Mazda Tribute could be a sign of a few different issues. Here are some potential causes:

1. Power steering pump: A whining noise can be an indication of a failing power steering pump. The noise may increase when the steering wheel is turned.
2. Alternator: If the whining noise increases with engine speed, the alternator may be failing. This is because the alternator is responsible for charging the battery and powering the car's electrical system.
3. Transmission: A whining noise during acceleration could also be a sign of transmission issues, such as low transmission fluid levels, worn bearings, or a damaged gear.
4. Differential: A whining noise that increases with speed could also be a sign of a failing differential. This is the part of the car that transfers power from the engine to the wheels.

It's important to have a professional mechanic diagnose and fix the issue to prevent further damage to your vehicle.

spray down pump and hoses with degreaser and wash off. After its dry, use recomended fluid to fill. Start engine and turn steering wheel all the way left, and all the way right a couple of times. This will blead the air from the system. Now shut off and check fluid. Make sure it is full. Now drive the car down the road and make turns, and drive it back and check fluid level. If its still foamy and not leaking fluid, your pump ma be bad.

The most common source of the whine is the power steering pump is low on fluid or the pump is defective. Check the owner's manual for instructions on how to check the fluid in the pumps reservoir.

hi Eva.
As you turn your steering wheel it is this fluid pressure that aids in turning the wheels of your car. ... If the pump impeller is trying to move power steering fluid and starts catching air bubbles it can cause whining noises and vibrations to occur.
Maybe you've heard it at a stop light. Maybe you've heard it as you pass a car on the freeway. Or maybe you've heard it in the parking lot at work when someone is leaving. The unmistakable whine of a power steering pump can make even the most confident mechanic wonder when that car will breakdown.
Power steering pump noise is a unique noise that your car may make and once you've heard it you always know what it is. The noise is a mix of a whirring and a whining and will always vary with the speed of your engine whether your car is driving or in park. This whining noise can be subtle or extremely loud and may be worse in colder weather, or right when you first start your car.
Power steering pumps are most often vain style centrifugal pumps that are tasked with pressurizing the power steering fluid and pushing it down to your power steering gear or rack. As you turn your steering wheel it is this fluid pressure that aids in turning the wheels of your car.
There are a few reasons why you are hearing power steering pump noise from your car. First, it may simply be due to the design of the pump. Sometimes, noisy power steering pumps can continue to work flawlessly for years after they start making noise. This may simply be due to the manufacture's design or a tight tolerance in that particular pump. In this case, you would hear the noise but not see any other adverse effect like a loss in power steering, leaking fluid or a wobbly pulley. In this case, you may be able to help reduce your power steering pump noise by choosing a different type of power steering fluid, like a synthetic fluid.
Your power steering pump may also be making noises due to air trapped in the system. If the pump impeller is trying to move power steering fluid and starts catching air bubbles it can cause whining noises and vibrations to occur. Even tiny air bubbles you cannot see that are trapping in the power steering fluid may be causing the whining you are hearing. In this case, the best thing to do is flush your power steering system to try and remove the air from the system. Having air trapped in your power steering system can be difficult to diagnose so you may need to simply try a power steering flush to see if it solves your problem.
Power Steering pump noise may also be due to a failing power steering pump. As the bearings on the impeller go bad it will start to make noise as the pump is turning. If you have a bad power steering pump you usually will also experience leaks from around the pulley, a wobbly pulley, or difficulty turning the steering wheel when you are stopped. If you have multiple of these symptoms together, it is probably time to replace your power steering pump.
Lastly, and most usually, a whining power steering pump is an indication of a low fluid level. Your power steering fluid is probably something you have rarely if ever checked, so it often comes as a surprise if the level is low. Your power steering fluid reservoir is also relatively small so even a slow leak will cause a low fluid level relatively quickly. To confirm this is your problem it is as simple as checking your power steering fluid level. Some power steering reservoirs are clear so you can see through them to check how full they are. You may have to wipe away some dirt and grime to find the "full" line, but it should be easy to check. If you have an opaque power steering fluid reservoir there should be a small dipstick under the cap that will help you measure the fluid level. If it is low, then you have a leak somewhere and topping off the fluid should quite down your power steering pump.
If you discover a power steering leak, rather than simply continuing to add fluid every time it gets low, you should fix the problem permanently so you don't have to continue to check your power steering fluid level. Replacing lines or seals can be a surprisingly difficult task due to the location of your power steering pump and steering gear or rack. The easiest way to seal your leak is to do it from the inside out!

or check this link out for more info on this matter.
Power steering whining sqreeching Google Search

Section 11-00: Steering System-Service 1999 Taurus, Sable Workshop Manual SERVICE PROCEDURES Purging Power Steering System of Air NOTE: If the air is not purged from the power steering system correctly, a second customer concern or pump failure could result. This condition can only occur on pre-delivery vehicles with evidence of aerated fluid or vehicles that have had steering component repair.

A whine noise heard from the power steering pump may be caused by air in the system. The following procedure must be performed whenever any of the following are performed:

• All power steering noise complaints with evidence of aerated fluid on pre-delivery vehicles only, prior to any component repair.
• After any power steering system component (for example, gear or hose) has been replaced and the noise is heard.

Fluid Level Top-Off Procedure

1. Check and fill pump reservoir to dipstick full cold or remote reservoir center mark.
   

1. Disable ignition by removing Fuse 10 in the fuse junction panel.
   

1. Crank engine 30 seconds, check fluid level and add if required.
   

1. NOTE: Do not hold steering wheel on stops.
   
   Crank engine 30 seconds while cycling the steering wheel lock to lock.
   

1. Check fluid level and add fluid if required.
   

Air Purge with Vacuum External Source Procedure - 3.0L (2V) Engine, Flex Fuel and 3.4L SHO Engine

1. Tightly insert the rubber stopper of the air evacuator assembly into pump reservoir.
   

1. Reinstall Fuse 10 used to disable ignition and start vehicle.
   

1. Apply 20-25 in-Hg (85-88 kPa) maximum vacuum for minimum of three minutes at idle; maintain maximum vacuum with vacuum source.
   

1. Release vacuum and remove vacuum source.
   

1. Add fluid to full warm or reservoir center mark.
   

1. Reinstall vacuum source and apply 20-25 in-Hg (85-88 kPa) vacuum.
   

1. NOTE: Do not hold steering wheel on stops.
   
   Cycle steering wheel from lock to lock every 30 seconds for approximately 5 minutes.
   

1. Shut engine off, release vacuum and remove vacuum source.
   

1. Add Motorcraft MERCON Multi-Purpose (ATF) Transmission Fluid if necessary and install dipstick or reservoir cap.
   

1. NOTE: Do not hold steering wheel on stops.
   
   Start engine and cycle steering wheel from lock to lock every 30 seconds for approximately 5 minutes.
   

1. Check for oil leaks at all connections.
   

1. In severe cases it may be necessary to repeat air purge with vacuum source procedure.
   

Air Purge with Vacuum External Source Procedure - 3.0L (2V) and 3.0L (4V)

1. Add Motorcraft MERCON® Multi-purpose (ATF) Transmission Fluid XT-2-QDX or MERCON® equivalent to approximately 2.5 cm (1 in) (make a mark) above the top of the supply line.
   

1. Tightly insert the rubber stopper of the air evacuator assembly into the pump reservoir.
   

1. Apply 85-88 kPa (20-25 in-Hg) maximum vacuum for a minimum of three minutes.
   

1. Add Motorcraft MERCON® Multi-purpose (ATF) Transmission Fluid XT-2-QDX or MERCON® equivalent until the level is at the marked point.
   

1. Repeat Steps 3 and 4 until the fluid level stabilizes.
   

1. Check reservoir level and add Motorcraft MERCON® Multi-purpose (ATF) Transmission Fluid XT-2-QDX or MERCON® equivalent to the FULL WARM (MAX) mark.
   

1. Install the number 10 fuse in the fuse junction panel. Start the engine.
   

1. NOTE: The front wheels must be off the floor during lock-to-lock rotation of the steering wheel.
   
   NOTE: Do not hold the steering wheel on stops.
   
   Reinstall the vacuum source and apply 85-88 kPa (20-25 in-Hg) maximum vacuum and cycle the steering wheel from lock-to-lock every thirty seconds for a minimum of 5 minutes.
   

1. Shut the engine off, release the vacuum and remove the vacuum source.
   

1. Add Motorcraft MERCON® Multi-purpose (ATF) Transmission Fluid XT-2-QDX or MERCON® equivalent to the FULL WARM (MAX) level. Install the dipstick or reservoir cap.
   

1. NOTE: Do not hold the steering wheel on stops.
   
   NOTE: In severe cases, it may be necessary to repeat air purge with vacuum source procedure.
   
   Start the engine and cycle the steering wheel from lock-to-lock every thirty seconds for approximately five minutes.
   

1. Lower the vehicle front end.
   

1. Check for oil leaks at all connections.
   

Yes, your brakes are boosted by the power steering pump rather than by vacuum. I don't think it's air in the system. More likely your pump has failed, but you can try bleeding the pump. Here is a procedure from autozone.com:

Observe the following:
Use clean, new power steering fluid type only Hoses touching the frame, body or engine may cause system noise. Verify that the hoses do not touch any other part of the vehicle. Loose connections may not leak, but could allow air into the steering system. Verify that all hose connections are tight.


NOTE Power steering fluid level must be maintained throughout bleed procedure.

1. Fill pump reservoir with fluid to minimum system level, FULL COLD level, or middle of hash mark on cap stick fluid level indicator.
   NOTE With hydro-boost only, the oil level will appear falsely high if the hydro-boost accumulator is not fully charged. Do not apply the brake pedal with the engine OFF . This will discharge the hydro-boost accumulator.
   
2. If equipped with hydro-boost, fully charge the hydro-boost accumulator using the following procedure:
   1. Start the engine.
   2. Firmly apply the brake pedal 10-15 times.
   3. Turn the engine OFF
   
   
3. Raise the vehicle until the front wheels are off the ground.
4. With key in the ON position and the engine OFF , turn the steering wheel from stop to stop 12 times. Vehicles equipped with hydro-boost systems or longer length power steering hoses may require turns up to 15 to 20 stop to stops.
5. Verify power steering fluid level per operating specification.
6. Start the engine. Rotate steering wheel from left to right. Check for sign of cavitation or fluid aeration (pump noise/whining).
7. Verify the fluid level. Repeat the bleed procedure if necessary.

Observe the following:



Use clean, new power steering fluid type only Hoses touching the frame, body or engine may cause system noise. Verify that the hoses do not touch any other part of the vehicle. Loose connections may not leak, but could allow air into the steering system. Verify that all hose connections are tight.
NOTE Power steering fluid level must be maintained throughout bleed procedure.

1. Fill pump reservoir with fluid to minimum system level, FULL COLD level, or middle of hash mark on cap stick fluid level indicator.
   NOTE With hydro-boost only, the oil level will appear falsely high if the hydro-boost accumulator is not fully charged. Do not apply the brake pedal with the engine OFF . This will discharge the hydro-boost accumulator.
   
2. If equipped with hydro-boost, fully charge the hydro-boost accumulator using the following procedure:
   1. Start the engine.
   2. Firmly apply the brake pedal 10-15 times.
   3. Turn the engine OFF
   
   
3. Raise the vehicle until the front wheels are off the ground.
4. With key in the ON position and the engine OFF , turn the steering wheel from stop to stop 12 times. Vehicles equipped with hydro-boost systems or longer length power steering hoses may require turns up to 15 to 20 stop to stops.
5. Verify power steering fluid level per operating specification.
6. Start the engine. Rotate steering wheel from left to right. Check for sign of cavitation or fluid aeration (pump noise/whining).
7. Verify the fluid level. Repeat the bleed procedure if necessary.

the rack and pinion unit may have a pinhole leak

Often, noise in the power steering is the result of air trapped in the system. It can also come from contaminated or worn out fluid. If the fluid level in the power steering reservoir is low, the pump will tend to whine and/or chatter. First, check the fluid level. If it is low, there is a leak somewhere. Keep the fluid level up if you must drive it, or the power steering pump will be destroyed. Once you have determined there are no leaks, or repaired any leaks you have have found, the best solution is to remove as much fluid from the system as possible, and then refill it with fresh, clean fluid. There is a product called Lucas power steering stop leak (or somesuch) which is excellent for quieting power steering components and extending their life. Use 1/2qt to 1 qt of regular fluid first, and then the whole bottle of Lucas when refilling. Top off with regular fluid as needed. Be sure to check the fluid level again after letting the engine idle and turning the wheels back and forth several times, as some air will be purged from the system and the level may go down substantially.

the noise may be because your power steering fluid level is low when cold, as the fluid warms up it expands enough to stop the whine, you should have the leak checked by your favorite mechanic shop