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Old Apr 20, 2011 | 06:04 PM
  #1  
convertible lover's Avatar
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From: Laughlin NV.
Default Need Mechanics help

I have a 2000 vert with about 90,000 miles on it. Not sure maybe two years ago I was running thought some curves and power steering seem to quit. It felt hard to steer. I stopped and checked out everything. It all looked good, took off with no more trouble. Steered great. Then over the weekend while running though some curves on one curve only I felt the steering get hard, next curve it felt fine.
So what am I looking at? Talked to two mechanics today, got two different answers. Am I worried over nothing? Or am I looking at the pump, or rack and pinion going out. Thanks for any help or advice you can give.
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Old Apr 20, 2011 | 10:40 PM
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Got any dtc's? Changing the power steering fluid would be a good place to start. Also were there any abnormal noises during the time when your steering was hard? Power steering pumps usually dont intermittently go bad,its more of a gradual failure. Sounds like some sort of hydraulic valve sticking, i believe those would be internal to the rack and pinion but im not sure.
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Old Apr 20, 2011 | 10:45 PM
  #3  
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Heard no noise at all. Just hard steering. And it only happen twice, two years apart. Has nobody heard of anything like this before.
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Old Apr 20, 2011 | 10:58 PM
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The Magnasteer steering assist could be getting funny.

Pull Your Codes
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Old Apr 21, 2011 | 09:20 AM
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I had a similar situation but in a long busy autocross course on a really hot day with two drivers

power steering fluid got too hot and pump cavitated

replaced with Red Line fluid and no further issues
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Old Apr 21, 2011 | 12:35 PM
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fluid is pretty old, replace it.
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Old Apr 21, 2011 | 12:38 PM
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Originally Posted by NealB
I had a similar situation but in a long busy autocross course on a really hot day with two drivers

power steering fluid got too hot and pump cavitated

replaced with Red Line fluid and no further issues


Much better scenario than ball/joint socket issues or some weird binding caused by cornering force.
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