Power Steering Problem
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
From: Warren NJ
Power Steering Problem
Took my car out yesterday. In the morning I found that the power steering was greatly diminished when turning and the engine idling. It felt almost like trying to steer with the car with the engine off which is rough. When accelerating this problem did not occur. It felt like the higher the engine rpm, no problem. The lower the rpm, the worse the problem. The fluid level is OK. The serpentine belt looks OK. Power steering pump? Oh, on the way home in the afternoon, no problem. Can low temperature cause this type of problem? Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,301
Likes: 240
From: Summerland B.C. Canada
Re: Power Steering Problem (94 Red Roadster)
Yes, pump may being going south :smash:
Yes, cold temps affect power steering until your fluid heats up and then it should be normal.
:cheers:
Yes, cold temps affect power steering until your fluid heats up and then it should be normal.
:cheers:
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 19,653
Likes: 428
From: Melbourne Florida
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Re: Power Steering Problem (94 Red Roadster)
Sounds like power steering "morning sickness"...has your power steering fluid ever been changed or changed recently ?...if not, try this inexpensive fix...get a turkey baster...get three of bottles of Valvoline synthetic power steering fluid at the parts store...suck out 2 bottles worth of your present fluid and replace with new...if you can jack the front of your car up, do so and turn the wheels stop to stop a number of times (I skipped this process)...then drive the car for a week or so...then suck out another bottle's worth of fluid and replace with the 3rd bottle...in a couple of months do one more bottle and you should have all new fluid in there...hope this works...good luck
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 9,884
Likes: 3
From: Magnolia Mississippi
St. Jude '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
Re: Power Steering Problem (94 Red Roadster)
What about leaks? I have heard that some of the synthetics are not compatible with the seals in our power steering lines.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 454
Likes: 1
From: Lompoc CA
Re: Power Steering Problem (Fuzzy Dice)
I agree with Fuzzy Dice. I had a similar problem on my 85. When it was cold it was like trying to fight again a 5000 lb car with no power steering. Almost crashed once. I ended up flushing the entire power steering system by removing the return hose and running the engine while cranking the steering back and forth. This seemed to help a good amount, but after a while it was back again. I concluded after some more testing that the steering rack was failing with leaks from the hydraullic cylinder (the pump was good). To remedy this I tried a gimmic.
Astonishingly, it worked! I tried the Lucas power steering fix, and viola! Power steering was back. It sealed the leaks I had in the steering rack making it perform again.
Color of your fluid will indicate what your problem is. I doubt it is the pump though since I believe mine is an original pump at 120K.
Thanks
Richard
Astonishingly, it worked! I tried the Lucas power steering fix, and viola! Power steering was back. It sealed the leaks I had in the steering rack making it perform again.
Color of your fluid will indicate what your problem is. I doubt it is the pump though since I believe mine is an original pump at 120K.
Thanks
Richard
Pro
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 732
Likes: 138
From: Allen (DFW) Texas
Re: Power Steering Problem (94 Red Roadster)
Like vinnies87, I changed to synthetic fluid in my 96 with no problems/leaks. My issue was cavitation and loss of power steering toward the end of a long autox course - haven't had the problem since going to synthetic.
