Ford Repair: power steering problem, ford windstar lx, ford windstar

Question
Dear Sir;
       Help please steering problem on a 2002 Ford Windstar
lx. Power steering pump groans while sitting still or idling
turn the steering wheel a little put pressure on it stops.Takes more effort to turn wheel steering is heavier
harder to turn at times. Fluid is clean no air bubbles in resovoir this problem happens in cold or hot weather could it possibly be a pump or rac,pinion.Also in case their is trapped air in system how do you bleed the air out.
thanks very very much  nightmare in Louisiana

Answer
normal driving will eventually get air out so if this is an ongoing thing there is something else happening-first a weak pump could be the problem but before you go that far-if you don't have any leaks you can remove the return hose at the pump and connect it to another hose long enough to go in a bucket-block off the port in the resevoir-get three or 4 quarts of name brand power steering fluid i mean a good quality fluid there is a difference while someone holds the hose in the bucket-have someone else start the van while you pour about three quarts of fluid through the system after (let the person in the van wiggle steering wheel back and forth slightly while you pour the fluid) after the third quart turn the van off-reconnect hose and finish filling with fluid-start and let run if that doesn't help you probably have a bad pump or leaking seal at the rack and pinion and it will pull air in every time you turn wheel. good luck