Power steering problem

[Patman]

Funny this thread should pop back up again since i was going to update it anyways. The last few days have been a lot warmer than before, so I had no problems with the power steering. This morning I sucked out as much of the old fluid as I could, and refilled it with Valvoline synthetic blend PS fluid (it was either this or generic stuff, so this seemed like the better choice) I don't have any Neutra on hand so I couldn't put that in. In a few days I'll do another drain and refill on it, since I still have some fresh fluid leftover. Then when it gets colder again we'll see how it is. This week is going to be very mild, highs in the high 40s, which is very mild for December here (normal is closer to 35F for a daytime high)

 

[Patman]

It was 15F this morning when my wife left for work (I've got the day off so I let her take my Firebird since I need her car with the babyseat in case I want to take the baby anywhere today) and she told me the steering was hard to turn when she left.

I guess I'll look around for some better PS fluid, although I have a feeling that it's more of a mechanical problem.

 

[cousincletus]

Sounds like the rack, not the pump, is wearing out. Common GM problem in the '80s. Racks are easy to replace yourself, though, and the rebuilt ones seem to solve the problem forever. Something about the seals wearing out inside the rack is the actual cause of your problem.

 

[Patman]

Yep, the more people I talk to about this, the more I believe it's the common GM rack problem. It's been warmer out here though and the problem has stayed away. If it gets considerably worse I'll probably just wait until a warmer day and trade the car in on a newer one.

 

[BOBISTHEOILGUY]

Patman, Have you gotten with tracy yet? You'll be really surprised as to how well that 131 will do with that unit. If it is working when it's a warmer day, but when cold not so good, then a fluid problem is evident as a mechanical problem normally will not fluctuate with temp but fluid problems will.

 

[Patman]

Bob, I emailed Tracy to place the order but he doesn't have any Supreme 7000 10w30 right now, so I have to wait until he gets that first, then I'll get the Neutra at the same time (he had that, but if I make two orders it doubles the shipping costs, which are pretty high up here)

I will give the Neutra a shot in the PS reservoir, even if it won't solve the problem at least I will be able to clean out the unit.

 

[Greg]

the steering in my honda is a little bit stiff in the sub-freezing mornings but then it eases up after a while... i don't think anything's wrong.

 

[Patman]

It was only 11F this morning when I moved my car out of the driveway and the steering felt totally fine. Puzzling how one day it does it at 15F, then on a colder day like today it doesn't do it.