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  #1  
Old 04-21-2003, 02:05 PM
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Steering binding

Friday morning I got in the car and started to back up. My steering felt like it was binding almost like the power steering was out. I drove it down the road and noticed it would not return to center after turning. I kept driving and the problem went away. I noticed the fluid was a little low so I filled it. I haven't had this problem since and there are no codes showing. Steerin Rack? Ugg! I hope not! Any ideas?

Thanks,
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  #2  
Old 04-21-2003, 02:36 PM
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Re: Steering binding

Quote:
Originally posted by SVX JAZZ
Friday morning I got in the car and started to back up. My steering felt like it was binding almost like the power steering was out. I drove it down the road and noticed it would not return to center after turning. I kept driving and the problem went away. I noticed the fluid was a little low so I filled it. I haven't had this problem since and there are no codes showing. Steerin Rack? Ugg! I hope not! Any ideas?

Thanks,
Could just be dirty fluid. Have you ever changed the fluid in the reservoir (ie sucked the fluid out with a turkey baster, or similar and re-filled with fresh fluid). It did wonders for mine, when I changed the o-ring. That's the first, cheapest test.
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  #3  
Old 04-21-2003, 02:51 PM
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Sucked it out!

Hi Randy,

Yeah, I sucked out the old fluid (hand soap pump) when I did my O ring as well. Been about 2 1/2 years. Of course I wasn't able to get all the stuff in the rack. Strange... It's been fine since, almost like it wanted to see if I was paying attention or something.

Thanks,
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  #4  
Old 04-21-2003, 02:59 PM
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Well, that was my first best guess. I never want to speak rack failure on ANYONE.

BTW, Good to see ya haning 'round, Paul. You realize they're trying to organize a meet in your area, right?
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  #5  
Old 04-21-2003, 03:11 PM
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Selfish

Quote:
Originally posted by Aredubjay
Well, that was my first best guess. I never want to speak rack failure on ANYONE.

BTW, Good to see ya haning 'round, Paul. You realize they're trying to organize a meet in your area, right?
I try to stop by and see whats going on. I feel selfish because most of the time when I post I need something. Yeah... Almost $800 for a steering rack.

What's the event coming up? So it's near me huh? I never see any other SVX's down here.
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  #6  
Old 04-21-2003, 03:18 PM
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Re: Selfish

Quote:
Originally posted by SVX JAZZ


I try to stop by and see whats going on. I feel selfish because most of the time when I post I need something. Yeah... Almost $800 for a steering rack.

What's the event coming up? So it's near me huh? I never see any other SVX's down here.
A bunch are getting ready to run "The Dragon" in western NC.

http://www.subaru-svx.net/forum/show...&threadid=9710
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  #7  
Old 04-23-2003, 07:57 AM
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Unhappy It did it again

Steering acted funny again this morning. It acts like it has "tight" spots and then wont go back to center. Disapointing... My 86 Nissan truck has 245,000 and steers the best out of all my cars.
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  #8  
Old 04-23-2003, 08:01 AM
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If you decide you need a rack, i can have one shipped to your door for $240. That includes a low mileage used but guauanteed rack, and also includes fedex ground shipping.

Mike
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  #9  
Old 04-23-2003, 08:28 AM
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Does it bind anytime or only when the brakes are applied? I had a problem with binding under braking which is now completely gone after rebuilding my PS pump and front calipers.

KuoH
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  #10  
Old 04-23-2003, 08:39 AM
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SVX JAZZ

I just fixed my steering binding problem, which has plaged me for a couple months)I replaced the rack (which was only a year old rebuilt unit from Advanced Auto), this didn't fix it.

I drained and replaced fluid...this didn't fix it.

I removed and disassembled, inspected and cleaned the pump.....3 times....this didn't fix it.

I bought a $6 bottle of "Lucus" power steering additive...and after a couple miles of driving....it works like new!

I don't usually put those “Miracle fix all “ products in my car, but decided to try it before purchasing a $400 pump or $550 control valve…Glad I did.

Worth a try, you might be as surprised as I was
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  #11  
Old 04-23-2003, 08:44 AM
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Binding

Thanks for the price on the rack. I am going to investigate further to see if it's the pump, rack or whatever.

It binds no matter if I am applying the brakes or not. Friday when it started it evenually went away. Fluid was alittle low so I added some. It's been fine until this morning. I did notice the groaning noise coming from the pump. I did the O ring fix a couple of years ago. I night need a new one...
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1965 Mustang G.T. Fastback
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Incredibly blessed!
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  #12  
Old 04-23-2003, 08:45 AM
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Quote:
Originally posted by huck369
SVX JAZZ


I bought a $6 bottle of "Lucus" power steering additive...and after a couple miles of driving....it works like new!

Worth a try, you might be as surprised as I was
I will try it. Thanks for the tip!
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1992 LSl (Black Mica)
1965 Mustang G.T. Fastback
1990 Mustang G.T. Convertible
1986 1/2 Nissan 4x4
2004 Vovlo XC70 (wife's)

Wonderful Wife
Wonderful Son
2 Cats

Incredibly blessed!
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  #13  
Old 04-23-2003, 09:01 AM
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Re: Binding

It couldn't hurt to replace it again and will certainly be less costly than a new rack. I would also recommend using a slightly thicker O-ring than the original one.

KuoH

Quote:
Originally posted by SVX JAZZ
I did notice the groaning noise coming from the pump. I did the O ring fix a couple of years ago. I night need a new one...
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  #14  
Old 04-24-2003, 07:43 AM
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sludge

Last night I got in too late to stop by the parts store. I thought I would pump out some of the old fluid and freshen it up with some new. The stuff I pumped out was dark in color and smelled rough, almost burned. Stank... Could my pump possibly be gunked up? Friday when this first happened I had to go on a road trip and one on the highway after a few miles the steering came back to normal. I wonder if the viscosity (sp?) broke down enough to free up the steering? I am going to try to get some aditive today. FYI... I am using Dextron III.

Thanks,
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  #15  
Old 04-24-2003, 08:00 AM
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Sludgy oil and bad colour probably points to O ring fix again as Kuoh suggests. This "cavitation" is bound to affect the oil, and it has been working for two and a half years.

Check also the rubber boots on the rack, you may have seals gone/going inside which would churn up the oil also.

You mentioned twice the fluid was a litle low. Where is it going? Must be escaping somewhere. Do the O-ring thing first.

Joe
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