Hey guys, I got a 98 Corvette (six speed) with about 70,000 miles on it. Today as I was coming off the freeway ramp turning, my steering wheel tightened as if I had lost my power steering? My wheel became very stiff and I needed to use all my strength to turn the steering wheel. When I got to the next light, and stopped it was still tight even until when I began speeding up again. Then it went back to normal, and for the remaining five miles home (in stop and go conditions) it was back to normal my steering wheel worked fine. I checked my steering fluid and it was full, and my tire pressure was okay. Any ideas to what could have caused this? Has this happened to any of you? Any recommendations? Any Input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. :( :(

 

Couple of things to look at...speed sensitive steering is control by a couple of things....there is a bolt (I wish I knew where) which controls the tension of a belt, which may have vibrated out of wack. If the tension on the belt isn't constant, it may do what you experienced. The other thing might be to check your fuses...I'm almost sure there is a fuse related to steering as well. I'm not a mechanic...only my .02 I hope it works out or gives you some ideas. I had it happen to me, not in this car, but turned out to be the bolt/belt tension thingy (a technical term):thumbs: Good luck and be careful! :seeya

 

Look up your DTC codes and post them ALL here, then you should get a response with the probable cause.

Here's how to get the codes: https://www.corvetteforum.com/techti...D=26&TopicID=1

:cheers:

 

From my manual.
Increase in Effort While Turning Steering Wheel.
1)A high internal leakage. Check for external leakage.
2)The steering gear valve spool is sticking or damaged. Replace the steering gear.
3)Insufficient pump pressure. Replace the pump.
4)The fluid level is low. Check the fluid level.

You stated that the fluid level was normal, so 1 is out.
You said it ws fine, then difficult, then fine, so it might be 2.
I don't think it was 3 because it returned to normal.
You checked your fluid level so 4 is out.

I vote for 2.

It also states.
Steering Effort Hard in Both Directions
1)Excessive internal pump or steering gar leakage. Check for external leakage.
2)The pump pressure is insufficient. Check power steering pressure.
3)The joints from the column to the steering gear are loose or worn. 1:Check for correct torque. 2: Replace components as needed.
4)The steering gear valve is sticking. 1:Flush the steering gear valve system.
2:Bleed the steering gear valve system
3: Service partial steering gear if symptom persists.
5)The fluid is thick. In cold weather the fluid thickens... nah not this
6)The plastic boot on the intermediate shaft is out of position. 1: Inspect the plastic boot on the intermediate shaft.
2: Replace if needed.

I don't think it's 1, you checked your level.
The pump pressure COULD be insufficient...
It could be 3
It could be 4
Not 5
It could be 6

So, check the steering gear valve spool.
You could have worn column to steering wheel joints.
The steering gear valve is sticking.
The boot might be out of position.

I vote for steering gear valve or valve spool sticking, or plastic intermediate shaft boot out of position.

Arrgghh. :crazy:

 

Thanks for your time guys, I will let you know how it turns out.

 

Simple but often overlooked! Is the pump pully slipping over the belt?? To check, have some one watch the pump pully while you turn the steering wheel real fast in one direction and then the other. If the pully shudders and skips replace the belt!

BC

 

No codes. Thanks Bill you have always given me great advice. If this is no longer happening (the tightening of the steering wheel) should I wait until it happens again to check the pump pulley?

 

No. :nonod: Don't wait...it might happen at a bad time ...again.

 

Replace the pump. We replace them as part of our maintainence on the race cars each year. I'd also get a pulley since they usually break when trying to remove it. I just break the pulley off with a hammer- it's plastic- to get to the pump mounting bolts and install a new pulley.

Mark
Phoenix Performance

 

:iagree: :iagree: Typical C5 problem-rebuilt pumps are $102 at Auto Zone

 

was it wet out when this happened? a wet belt will slip