Steering Funkiness
 

In my 92 with Speed Sens Steering there is a delay in the steering...

It is more noticable at higher speeds than a low speeds. As I'm cruising and come to a turn, I need to turn the wheel.... nothing happens, then the car starts to turn as I turn the wheel further.

I've checked;
Fluid
No Major Leaks
For tightness in the linkage between the column and rack

It doesn't seem to be a problem with the PS pump, as it isn't lack of power it is lack of response???

... is it that you turn it very slightly, and the car just doesn't seem like its turning, or you turn it a couple inches and it doesn't do anything?

Has this always been this way on your car?

I'm curious as well. Has this changed? the steering wheel is directly connected to the tires. If this is a new issue then you definately have slack somewhere in the system.

With the engine off and tires on the ground have someone shake the steering wheel back and forth quickly while you've got your head in the wheel well listening for clunks.

This has just started recently...

Going down the highway tonight I did some playing...

It seems that there is "slippage" between about 10:00 and 12:30 (I'll smack the first person that tells me not to drive it during those times :D:D)

Going into a Left turn I have to turn it over that far before it really starts to turn... Coming out of the turn I will be going straight with the wheel remaining at 10:00 if I give a sharp clockwise tug, I can get the wheel back to 12:00 while the car stays straight.

I stopped in a parking lot, and it does act the same way at lower speeds.

????????

As earthworm said, did you try to shake the steering wheel while the car is turned off ?? you will feel some "space" in it... if not, my mechanic over here taught me something about checking the steering pump:
1- turn the car on
2- Bring a water hose no longer than 15 inches or so
3- put one end on the steering pump (not the oil reservoir, remove the plastic cover and put the hose end on the pump) and the other end put it on your ear to hear the sounds it is making from the inside
if you hear a grinding noise, it means that your pump is defective, if not, it's not a matter of pump rather than steering column.

So then even with the engine off you're still going to see this issue I'm assuming. You still have the stock steering wheel?

You're still going to have to have someone under the car while someone yanks on the wheel to see what's moving if anything.

Yes, it is there with the engine off.

Everything is stock.

I'll get it back on ramps, tonight after work...

As far as I can tell, the linkage is tight...

So I guess that leaves the rack to be causing the problems???


My guess is the connection between the shaft and the pinion gear???
Anyone know how they are connected (Splined Shaft? Offset? Key? Roll Pin?

Suggestion...
 

My local SVX buddy AmazonParrot had a similar problem with his speed-sensitive steering on his '92 LS-L. He took it into a trusty import repair shop in town and they looked over his entire car - the steering rack was fine, but they found a worn tie rod on one of his front wheels. The part was replaced and there is no 'delay' or slop in his steering.

When you have it up on the ramps agin, you might want to check this out. I'd also look over the ball joints to see if there are any cracks.

-Chike

Well, it is now fixed...

What a blind idiot I am...

I got it up on the lift at my uncle's shop this afternoon. With me up high cranking the wheel, he immediately saw the problem...

The steering rack was loose and sliding back and forth in the brackets. Of the four bolts holding the rack down tight; one was missing, the other three were loose. The bolts are tightened and a new one installed and the steering is now nice and tight.

Hooray! Glad the problem is fixed... :)

-Chike