Firm Steering Issue

eddiepotato

eddiepotato

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Hey!

My first post, but been soaking in the wealth of information for awhile. This is my current situation.
Recently replaced a leaking steering rack in my 2002 LS, and it's steering is very firm, but drivable. The rack was leaking for a year while being driven, and most recently, the car has been sitting for about a year. Been getting it back in driving condition, and I had the rack replaced. Now the steering is firm, and the steering wheel doesn't return when turned fully in either direction. There is also an intermittent rubbing noise while the car is running. My LS is currently in the shop, and I'm suspecting that the Power Steering pump needs to be replaced. After searching the forums, I asked the mechanics to inspect the steering rack, and they said there was no problems. They also inspected the suspension components for issues, and there were none. The shop is estimating $600 for replacing the pump (with fluid/labor/tax) and say that the labor is going to be about 4 hours. Does anyone think that it may be something other than the power steering pump? And does the estimate sound reasonable for the job?

Thanks for any insight!
 
Thanks for the reply. I had the shop inspect the shaft and they said the shaft (u-joint) is fine, no binding with it or any of the suspension parts as well. I'm thinking the pump is compromised due to driving with a bad rack (which leaked alot and for breif periods, ran with no fluid as it all leaked completely out).
 
Well I took the plunge, and I'm having the shop replace the power steering pump/lines/flush the system. The pump will arrive tommorrow, and I will update this after the work is done. Hopefully this will fix the problem, or maybe the steering rack I just had put in is defective. Either way, it's just $$$ I guess....
 
I had a similar problem. When I turned the wheel I would hear a sound like a zipper going up and down. Added power steering fluid it went away. It came back after a few weeks, but after topping it off like 3 times the problem went away. Maybe the there was a leak that sealed itself up from the fluid I was using? Then one day I take a sharp turn at about 30mph and I felt my tires spinning out and the advancetrac light blinked then stayed on. My wheel's center was now to the left a little bit. Couple days later I make another turn not as harsh but the same thing happened and now the wheel was centered to the right. I turned the wheel all the way to the left then to the right and it went back to being centered to the left. People were telling me my rack was wrecked and was jumping teeth. Went to my mechanic and he suggested to get an alignment. I thought it was a waste of money but it actually fixed my problem. I didn't think being out of alignment can do that. I just thought the car pulling left or right meant you needed an alignment. So maybe get your alignment checked. It's been about two weeks for me and I'm still skeptical that I may have a problem. I'm not too mechanically inclined but maybe you have a similar problem to mine.
 
I hope your LS stays fixed! After the new rack, I got 4 new tires plus an alignment, so I don't think that is the issue (firm steering before and after alignment.) I hope the sound I hear from the car is a squeling/rubbing/damaged pump, and not something else.
 
Yeah me too the last thing I wanna do is put a new rack in. Hopefully you'll get a fix soon. I'm seeing a lot of people with mystery steering issues. Some people are putting new racks in, changing all this and the problem returns. Others are just living with it. Shame though because I love the way this car handles/steers.
 
update

so the shop finished the replacement of the pump, although I haven't got the car back yet, the mechanic says "It's a little better, but still firm to turn". He did say the issue of the steering wheel not returning has been fixed. Is it possible that something is limiting the amount of fluid that is being used by the car, therfore making the steering wheel harder than usual to turn?
 
eddiepotato said:
so the shop finished the replacement of the pump, although I haven't got the car back yet, the mechanic says "It's a little better, but still firm to turn". He did say the issue of the steering wheel not returning has been fixed. Is it possible that something is limiting the amount of fluid that is being used by the car, therfore making the steering wheel harder than usual to turn?
Click to expand...

There's the pressure control solenoid valve. (It's for the speed sensitive steering boost.)
Also, make sure that the screen at the bottom of the power steering fluid reservoir was checked and cleaned.

I'm still suspicious of the condition of the steering shaft. Maybe it was damaged when you had to apply too much force because of running out of fluid before?
 
eddiepotato said:
does the power steering pressure hose maybe have anything to do with this?
Click to expand...

Only if it's leaking or clogged.
The electrical part on the line is just a pressure sensor to let the engine know that more loading is coming.
 
I'll have to have another place inspect the steering shaft. I asked the shop to do that, and they told me that they did inspect it and found no binding and they also inspected the suspension for any binding and found none. For all I know they never inspected it correctly.
 
eddiepotato said:
http://www.lincolnvscadillac.com/showthread.php?t=63096&highlight=steering

I saw this thread about adding a friction modifyer (sp?), but it seems to be for gen2 LS, does anyone think that this maybe the problem i'm having with my 2002? Could possibly make sense if the system was completely drained and refilled without a friction modifyer (sp?)
Click to expand...

Modifier.
I don't think you are describing the same issue, so I doubt that it would help you. If they put good Mercon V fluid in, new rack, and new pump, then it shouldn't be an issue anyway.
 
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