Steering Problem Help
 

There is something wrong with the steering on my SVX. It is getting hard to turn the wheel at speeds below 30 rpm and the steering does not came back to center after the wheel is released.

Has anyone else had this problem? What was the fix?

Thanks

Sounds like your P/S Pump or your rack & pinion is binding somewhere...

i've had a similar problem, but it went away...kinda. If it is your rack check the inner tie rod dust boots by poking a hole in it, if fluid comes out, its bad. That's the state my rack is in right now. But its still manageable, a new oem rack is like 700

A remanufactured rack and pinion will run between 300-350 + 300 labor. My car as I speak is in the shop getting a new rack on.

remanufactured you mean right? not new

correct. remanufactured. A new onw will run a pretty penny of $750!

I found this previous thread on "rack binding" here.

I found this past history of some fixes very interesting.
I disconected the wire on the PS pump and I think it was a little easier to turn. The steering warning light does not come on with the wire off. Does anyone know if it should? I put it back on and there was no change. So this fix did not work for me. :(

Next I tried the wire on the rack its self. The steering was way more stiff with that disconnected and the "steering light" came on. I hooked it back up again and the light went out and that did not help. No improvement to write home about.

Yesterday I sucked out the fluid and then dumped in bottle of Lucas PS additive. It only helped a little. This morning in the cold the PS pump or something else PS fluid related was screeching until it got warm. I do not like that noise so I think I will take the fluid/additive (it pretty thick) back out and refill with straight AFT. I am glad this worked for Huck but it dosen't seem to work for me.

Based on Huck's experience of the rebuilt rack not doing the job, I think I will try to go with a new rack. (until I see the price) I put a new PS pump on 2 years ago only because I figured the old one was about done. It was getting noisy and I had a good o-ring. So I hope the newer pump is okay and I could always try the the old pump again.

I have also noticed that the binding seems to occur when the wheel is turned 90 degrees and then every 180 after that and in either direction. The speed actually does not matter. I think this points to something being worn out on the pinion shaft. ( I seem to remember a post about this.)

I then have the emotional problem of where to do this work. I would like to do it myself but I do not know if IT will wait until the warmer weather. I dislike taking it to the dealer or a garage because of the amount of labor involved and the fact that half the exhaust has to down. I keep thinking that it will just be an opportunity for the mechanics to break stuff and replace more parts or put something back differently than I would and have it wear out sooner. AARRRRUUUGGHH :eek:

I'm not getting the binding, however I have to replace the rack due to a leak which drips on the pipes... Hopefully that will keep the car from smoking!:)

Oh yeah I forgot to say I have no leaks at all. I had a Low Press hose drip once and I replaced that.

to remove hte ps rack the exhaust does not need to be removed, have to remove an axle (forget which one and the rack comes out quite easily.

That would be great if the exhaust could stay in.
Have you seen this thread on rack removal?
If you have some personal experience in this area you may want to add your comments to that thread.:)

IT''S A LOT BETTER
 

That Lucas additive is starting to work. :D Today it was goos as it was this past summer. However the belt or something is slipping like mad and screeeming on the cold morning start but I don't care. I'll try to tighten it up some.

Re: IT''S A LOT BETTER
 

Lucas helped mine for several months but I'm putting in a rebuilt rack. All I can afford and all the symptoms point to needing a new rack. It helped one of my other cars when I relced the rack in it. Feels like a new car.

Jazz

I just had a terrible time with getting my rack and pinion replaced w/ my local dealer. It took them 4 days to get the darn thing right (leaking fluid)! It leaked and leaked P/S fluid and my car smoked like a BBQ! I guess their mechanic installed something incorrectly the first two times on the rebuilt unit. What a frustrating and agonizing experience for $700 bucks!

John, Oh yeah 4 days is a long time and bringing back defective work to the dealer is no fun but $700 I think is very reasonable. :)
You commnets just reinforce my own deisre to the work. :)