Power steering woes...
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 1,161
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Power steering woes...
My '96 just started having a resistance when trying to turn the steering wheel while stopped and idling. If I rev it up to about 2K rpm it goes away and turns fine. This happens while fully warmed up. I checked my manual, no troubleshooting for steering that I can find. Has anybody got a suggestion as to what might be the cause? I'm thinking powersteering pump but the car only has 51,900 miles on it.
thanks
dr
thanks
dr
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 146
Likes: 0
From: Germany
Re: Power steering woes... (DavidR)
I just had a similar think on my 94 LT1 with 53,000 miles on it. The power steering started to make noises, eventually it became real bad. Checked the power steering fluid level and found that it was pretty empty! Turned out to be a leak in the steering fluid cooler, which is located beneath the car and suffered from vibrations. Got it replaced, including a new serpentine belt, alltogether that was a 380 $ job.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 1,161
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Re: Power steering woes... (BrightAquaLT1)
Thanks for that reply BrightAquaLT1. I just replaced the serpentine with a Gates belt about 3K miles ago. I checked the p/s fluid last night and it's full. No prob's there and no leaks. I guess I'll try to check the belt tensioner tonight to make sure it is within it's marker window, saw that info in the manual last night about 11:30pm. I feel pretty sure though that it isn't a slipping belt, no squealing or noise at all.
I'm stumped.
dr
I'm stumped.
dr
Racer
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 393
Likes: 1
From: Houston TX
Re: Power steering woes... (DavidR)
Sounds like a pump to me. I'm not an expert though as I have only had to deal with mine when it was much worse than yours. BTW, I burned up my first pump at 38,000. You may try bleeding the system if there is no reason for your pump to have gone bad, like racing.
Jason
Jason
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 3,215
Likes: 6
From: Tampa Florida
Re: Power steering woes... (DavidR)
I've had problems with mine as well. This started on road circuit and has continued since. Only time it occurs is under high demand situations-high speed turns or parallel parking. I understand there is a valve on the pump that can become dirty or fail. Supposedly costs 15 bucks so I will try that before the pump gets replaced.
I don't have any noise associated and have changed the fluid. Due to the constant fluid movement-bleeding seems unnecessary to me. Unsure about that though.
I don't have any noise associated and have changed the fluid. Due to the constant fluid movement-bleeding seems unnecessary to me. Unsure about that though.
