Power Steering Intermittant
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,232
Likes: 28
From: South Riding VA
Power Steering Intermittant
Help...I've got 1 96 CE (LT1 & Auto) & every now and then, my power steering seems to stop being power! It seems to happen when the car is cold (first 5 or 10 miles or so), and will come back after 15- 20 sec or so (or a few turns of the wheel). There is/was no squealing (like the belt was slipping), no leaks, and the reservoir remains full. Sometimes the steering wheel will feel like it bumps through the turn (power on and off several times) I've got Z51 and 275s up front.. (don't know if that matters)
It had been my experience that when p/s pumps go, they usually just go, or leak like a sieve until they go, or become a PIA and you replace them. This probelm has been intermittant and I can't seem to recreate it on purpose.
What could be the problem? Any ideas of suggestions??
Thanks
Mike
96 CE - Completely Stock
It had been my experience that when p/s pumps go, they usually just go, or leak like a sieve until they go, or become a PIA and you replace them. This probelm has been intermittant and I can't seem to recreate it on purpose.
What could be the problem? Any ideas of suggestions??
Thanks
Mike
96 CE - Completely Stock
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 8,540
Likes: 1
From: And on the fifth day, subpoenas were served to Obama senior staff
Re: Power Steering Intermittant (mxw128)
I would flush the fluid. Eventually you are probably going to have to replace the pump and perhaps the rack. New fluid could make a difference for a while.
Pete
Pete
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 4,679
Likes: 2
From: Honolulu HI
Re: Power Steering Intermittant (mxw128)
On mine I flushed the fluid several times and replaced with Red Line synthetic. It helped some but not enough. I bought a new belt, no that wasn't it. I bit the bullet and replaced the rack, same story. I had the pressure checked in the pump, it was okay. Finally replaced the belt tensioner, wow, like a new car again. It must have been slipping enough to be a problem but it never squealed like a bad belt does. Just my experience, might try it.
Aloha,
Larry
Aloha,
Larry
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,232
Likes: 28
From: South Riding VA
Re: Power Steering Intermittant (mxw128)
Thanks for the inputs, I'll give them a shot. Are the p/s pumps and racks a cronic problem on the C4s? Mine only has 48k miles on it.
Is the procedure for flushing the p/s fluid in any of the manuals? Is there a wear indicator on the tensioner?
Thanks Again,
Mike
Is the procedure for flushing the p/s fluid in any of the manuals? Is there a wear indicator on the tensioner?
Thanks Again,
Mike
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 4,679
Likes: 2
From: Honolulu HI
Re: Power Steering Intermittant (mxw128)
Steering racks are a common problem on the earlier C-4. (9.5 wheels up front) Mine only has 30,000 miles. I just sucked out the fluid with a turkey baster once a week for about 4 weeks. Then it appeared to be clean. The belt wear indicator on mine checked good but I thought after 10 years it was time to put on a new belt anyway. The spring on the tensioner was so weak I could push it by hand. The new one I had to use a breaker bar to get the belt back on. Good luck.
Aloha,
Larry
Aloha,
Larry
