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  #1  
Old 03-14-2009, 09:26 AM
Szalkerous Szalkerous is offline
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Question Me again. Power steering question this time.

Before I start... Sorry for the load of tech questions lately. I'm trying to get my SVX inspectable before my grace period runs out.

I've developed an odd power steering issue. That is, a rock solid power steering after sitting. After driving it a bit, it has loosened up, but I still feel a small window of normal assistance, maybe 40 degrees worth of steering wheel, followed by what started as a pulsing solid/easy as I turned it, which has now leveled to a consistent resistance as I turn the wheel outside this "40 degree window". I notice at a dead stop often it exhibits correct assistance through the whole turn range, and at highway speeds it becomes much more difficult to turn.

No fluid loss in reservoir, no foamy fluid, no indicated leak around the pump or rack. I have never seen a power steering light on my dash. I don't know if it exists on my model, either.

This is leading me down a path of wondering about this awful speed assist "feature" of my 1994 LSi. However, as a good dubie, I did a thorough search of the whole site before posting this. Most every thread touching this topic revolves around a '92 model, which I am uncertain if it relates to a '94 LSi.

I am preparing to do the PS ring, and a fluid flush.... but I'm not so optimistic this will cure the problem.

Assuming it does not, can anyone give me any insight?
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1994 SVX LSi - Black / Beige - 139k miles SOLD!
1999 Chevy Camaro Z28 - Black, 6-speed, hell of a ride.
2004 Chevy Silverado Z71 - Blue LT2 luxury package
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  #2  
Old 03-15-2009, 05:01 PM
Szalkerous Szalkerous is offline
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Re: Me again. Power steering question this time.

Well, although I haven't received any replies, I'll post what I've found so far:

The o-ring and flush didn't fix the problem, maybe ever so slightly....

The majority of the problem was the steering knuckles. after blasting them with WD-40 with the wheels off the ground and really working it in, sure enough my steering feels like a dream.

I can't say if this fixes the speed related portion, but it moves so nicely that the weight of the wheels centers the steering if I let go of it.

And that flush job shocked me, after even being forewarned. I managed to put a gallon of fluid through it in 10 seconds flat.
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1994 SVX LSi - Black / Beige - 139k miles SOLD!
1999 Chevy Camaro Z28 - Black, 6-speed, hell of a ride.
2004 Chevy Silverado Z71 - Blue LT2 luxury package
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  #3  
Old 03-15-2009, 05:07 PM
Blacky Blacky is offline
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Re: Me again. Power steering question this time.

Mine has similar issues. I never thought of the steering knuckles. Mine seems to work better when it's warm out. Spring is almost here, so I'm hoping.
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Old 03-15-2009, 06:05 PM
Splinter Splinter is offline
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Re: Me again. Power steering question this time.

Sounds to me like power steering fluid being used instead of ATF

Is the fluid red or yellow?
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  #5  
Old 03-15-2009, 06:42 PM
Blacky Blacky is offline
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Re: Me again. Power steering question this time.

ATF in mine.
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  #6  
Old 03-15-2009, 10:40 PM
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ensteele ensteele is offline
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Re: Me again. Power steering question this time.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Blacky View Post
ATF in mine.
Good, it should be ATF.
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  #7  
Old 03-16-2009, 07:09 AM
Szalkerous Szalkerous is offline
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Re: Me again. Power steering question this time.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Splinter View Post
Sounds to me like power steering fluid being used instead of ATF

Is the fluid red or yellow?
Always ATF. Never thought the additives would matter, but this time I used brand name Prestone. It was only a $1 more than the no-name gallon.

Remember the car sat forever, so all sorts of naughty things could have happened to the fluid.

Now that all this is done, it's down to a road test to tell me the rest. Hopefully if I do finally suspect the electrical steering assist, someone here will have insight. =) I remember something about a brown and red wire....
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1994 SVX LSi - Black / Beige - 139k miles SOLD!
1999 Chevy Camaro Z28 - Black, 6-speed, hell of a ride.
2004 Chevy Silverado Z71 - Blue LT2 luxury package
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