Grendal666

Okay guys, got a conundrum, just did a bunch of suspension work and now I'm having a problem with a stiff steering wheel that won't return to center. I've double and triple checked my work and had an alignment done with no problem. So I'm thinking rack and pinion or P/S pump.

There is no fluid leak.
The steering is stiff.
Won't return to center.
There is no noise from the pump.

If it was the rack, I'm thinking steering would be loose instead of stiff, but the not returning to center is throwing me off because this is a rack problem.

I'm thinking this, I take the cap off the ps fluid reservoir while the motor is running and turn the wheel, there should be movment in the fluid? I can't detect any. Is there any other way to troubleshoot before changing parts?

I've checked the ujoint on the steering column, it's not that either.

LeX2K

Raise both front wheels and with the engine off and make sure the steering wheel movies freely. Is the power steering belt loose?

HomerJay

What parts did you replace?

Grendal666

inner and outer tie-rod ends
lower control arms
swaybar linkages
swaybar bushings

I didn't replace the lower balljoints because they are a pita on this car (you have to shave down a wrench to make it fit) and showed no sign of dmg anyway, boots still good, no play.

I replaced everything else because all the rubber boots and bushings were bad, the inner tie rods were completely shot.

No indication of bad rack mount bushings.

This was about a month ago, steering was WAY stiffer than it should been. I checked to make sure everything was moving like it should then had it aligned which seemed to alleviate the problem somewhat, alignment tech didn't find anything additional to bill me for so I just chalked it up to having to break in all those new parts.

Then the wheel stopped returning to center. I find the problem seems to be intermittent sometimes worse than others.

Now, stiff steering is a symptom of a bad pump, but mine is making no noise and seemed to work fine prior to the parts change, the belt is new and tight.

Stiff steering is not a typical indicator of a bad rack, but not returning to center is. I'm also not hearing any grinding or clunking noises while turning the wheel.

I've also checked the steering shaft Ujoint and coupling, don't seem to be broken.

I have also checked for bad strut mounts, also don't seem to be broken.

The last thing I did was pop the cap off the P/S pump reservoir and watched the fluid closely for movement with the engine running and the wheel being turned, my reasoning being that you should be able to see some obvious movement of the fluid as it's circulated by the pump, their was zero movement.

I do have an O2 sensor that needs to be replaced, but it's doubtful to me this would have an impact on the power steering system, maybe I'm wrong?

Oh, and no leaks.

Grendal666

I guess the question I\m really looking for an answer too is can a p/s pump fail without the whining noise?

mmatheny

https://www.yourmechanic.com/article...-steering-pump

HomerJay

Trying spraying the steering shaft u joints (inside and under the hood) with silicone spray and see if that helps.

Hayk

iTrader: (1)

Do you hear the power steering pump when you turn the steering wheel all the way and hold it? I would also check the PS Belt.