Power Steering Problem?
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
From: Wantagh, Long Island New York
Power Steering Problem?
I hope someone can give me some info on this problem. The Power steering gets very hard when you are at a light or just standing still and try to turn the wheels. When you are driving it is fine. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Ed
Ed
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,188
Likes: 13
From: Wallingford Vermont
Well it seems you're not getting all you should from your PS pump. Before we condemn the pump I would check the condition of your belt and the tensioner (pulley). Any oil dripping on the belt? Your fluid level is still good, right? Is this intermittent or always (at a stop)? Although I have never run into a serpertine belt slipping, I have seen this plenty of times on v belts. Never heard any squeeling but the belt would slip.
If both are good my next guess would be the pump is getting weak. The proper way would be to run a pressure check if you can get your hands on some the testing (HIGH pressure) guages.
Now all this is assuming you're not experiencing GM "Morning Sickness" a common syndrome where the steering is unassisted first thing when still cold. Goes away shortly after warm-up. This indicates the rack (aluminum piston) is worn, a very common problem with GMs. The good news is rebuilt racks are relatively cheap and are better than original equipment (rebuilt with a steel sleeve).
If both are good my next guess would be the pump is getting weak. The proper way would be to run a pressure check if you can get your hands on some the testing (HIGH pressure) guages.
Now all this is assuming you're not experiencing GM "Morning Sickness" a common syndrome where the steering is unassisted first thing when still cold. Goes away shortly after warm-up. This indicates the rack (aluminum piston) is worn, a very common problem with GMs. The good news is rebuilt racks are relatively cheap and are better than original equipment (rebuilt with a steel sleeve).
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,188
Likes: 13
From: Wallingford Vermont
If the steering is going bad when your fluid gets hot, that would be a clear indication the pump is weak. Hot fluid is thinner. The pump is worn enough that the internal clearances off, making it harder to build pressure with hot fluid.
You could try to change your fluid to see if that helps, but I think it might be too late.
You could try to change your fluid to see if that helps, but I think it might be too late.
Last edited by DanZ51; Apr 1, 2006 at 01:56 PM.
