Help Power Steering Resistence..

[RpSinner]

whenever i turn quickly...stupid power steering resists me. when i steering slow i cant notice a problem. but just when i jerk the wheel, counter steer, etc...this sucks!!! HELP

i used the search feature that some people neglect and found a previous post that had the same problem as me but nobody ever found out what was wrong.

maybe i should just say the hell with it and get rid of the whole power steering system.

[kandyflip445]

Learn to drive.

[projectRDM]

Air in system.
Damaged pump.
Crimped line.
Incorrect fluid type.
Low fluid level.

[vegita319]

Mine does that too and there is a crimp in the line on the back of the ps rack. I'm going to change that and if that doesn't help, I might get a new rack. Maybe you can look into that too. CHeck all your lines for pinched ones and stuff.

[RpSinner]

hmm well im using power steering fluid...i just recently found out that i should be using atf...could that be the problem? what is the difference between using atf and power steering fluid? also how can i drain all that fluid out and replace it?

im gonna check my lines as well when theres light out.

thanks for your input R240NA, vegita319...

[projectRDM]

Use ATF. Regular PS fluid doesn't have the varnish breakdown capacity that ATF does, and it's a little thicker when cold, which could be some of the problem you're having.

Pull the two lines from the rack and put them into a drain pan, start the car and turn the wheel back and forth until it's dry. May take a few minutes, but get it as flushed out as you can.

[kazuo]

I'm having the same problem.. I have plenty of fluid in there, and my lines aren't kinked or anything, so I think the pump might be toast. It's gotten worse in the last day or so as well.

:/

I HAVE noticed that the PS resevoir is "wet".. like its leaking fluid or overflowing or something. I don't see any puddles or drip under the car, nor is it oozing out, but there is a lot of PS fluid coating the resevoir now.

I'm wondering if I should spend the $$$ and time to replace the fluid before I decide the PS pump is shiot... what you think Russ? :P

[Var]

my SOHC was having this problem. i replaced the pump and it got a little better but there's a HUGE difference is effort between my SOHC and my SR. My steering wheel is an 1-2 inch less in diameter for the SOHC so it probably exaggerates the effect. My dad says you can drill a hole in the valve that controls pressure kinda like you would do to a thermostat to increase the flow.

Has anyone replaced the steering shaft that goes from the column to the rack? could it be that it's binding?, iono.???

Also Art when i drove your car on the skid pad the steering was considerably heavier than my SR. I'm running ATF for my SOHC and PS fluid for my SR.

240's have way too many issues. i wanna put a cadillac ps pump on mine one day. then we'll see who's boss!

[RpSinner]

my SOHC was having this problem. i replaced the pump and it got a little better but there's a HUGE difference is effort between my SOHC and my SR. My steering wheel is an 1-2 inch less in diameter for the SOHC so it probably exaggerates the effect. My dad says you can drill a hole in the valve that controls pressure kinda like you would do to a thermostat to increase the flow.

Has anyone replaced the steering shaft that goes from the column to the rack? could it be that it's binding?, iono.???

Also Art when i drove your car on the skid pad the steering was considerably heavier than my SR. I'm running ATF for my SOHC and PS fluid for my SR.

240's have way too many issues. i wanna put a cadillac ps pump on mine one day. then we'll see who's boss!

yeah i have a sohc also...are you gonna try drilling a hole? if so let me know what happens.

my dad had a 79 seville...you can turn the wheel with your pinky toe if you wanted to. stupid 240 power steering is crap. im starting to wish i never had power steering.

[Var]

im starting to wish i never had power steering.



!!!! dont say that. 240's without assist are worse. try it out. remove the belt and drive around for a little.

[projectRDM]

I'm having the same problem.. I have plenty of fluid in there, and my lines aren't kinked or anything, so I think the pump might be toast. It's gotten worse in the last day or so as well.

:/

I HAVE noticed that the PS resevoir is "wet".. like its leaking fluid or overflowing or something. I don't see any puddles or drip under the car, nor is it oozing out, but there is a lot of PS fluid coating the resevoir now.

I'm wondering if I should spend the $$$ and time to replace the fluid before I decide the PS pump is shiot... what you think Russ? :P

It can't hurt. Usually the fluid leakage is just the seal on the reservoir cap, the pressure from the system may force fluid past it under certain conditions.
If the pump is really going out, you'll either hear it whine, you'll see score marks where the shaft meets the case, or you can feel tension or resistance in the shaft itself. It's rare to have a dead pump with no signs of damage.

[kazuo]

If the pump is really going out, you'll either hear it whine, you'll see score marks where the shaft meets the case, or you can feel tension or resistance in the shaft itself. It's rare to have a dead pump with no signs of damage.

Well, it certainly isn't making any noise (that I can hear), and I don't see any scoring. The steering does fight me after a turn now, though -- I have to pretty much crank the wheel backwards for it to straigten out or it takes forever to do it on its own. :??

Should I use ATF or PS fluid? IIRC I'm using ATF right now...

blah

[projectRDM]

A T F . Please.

[twitchy]

strut mounts could cause that, no?

[projectRDM]

Doubtful. They'd have to be binded up badly or completely torn apart, and you'd notice a lot of noise in either case.

[Phil St John]

Sorry to go off topic a bit but R U guys really saying that its better to put Automatic Tranny Fluid in you PS res than Ps fluid? And why, wont that screw with some of the seals?

[Var]

Depends on the car. Our cars say ATF in the service manual...but ps fluid is more viscous which is why i use it on my drift car. That fluid can boil over in hot weather. Either one is fine. I've used Ps fluid in cold weather too and it works fine.

[overb0ost]

bringing this thread back but did anyone find out the solution to this problem?