[dtsimpala]

Hello Folks,

My impala's (283K miles) steering gets really stiff when coming out of reverse and turning the wheels before going into drive. While driving I don't have too many issues.

Thus far, I've changed the following parts to no avail.

1. Serpentine Belt
2. Belt Tensioner
3. Power steering pump

When I changed the PS pump, I jacked up the car and turned the wheel lock to lock about 10 times with the engine off after reservoir/pump with new fluid.

I know there is bad fluid in the line, but I'm not seeing the fluid in the reservoir change color at all. Is this normal? I've seen some folks talk about valves in the rack getting clogged and I had neglected my power steering system for years (the fluid was molasses colored when I did decide to work on it).

Any help or guidance is greatly appreciated.

 

[firestk]

Hello Folks,

My impala's (283K miles) steering gets really stiff when coming out of reverse and turning the wheels before going into drive. While driving I don't have too many issues.

Thus far, I've changed the following parts to no avail.

1. Serpentine Belt
2. Belt Tensioner
3. Power steering pump

When I changed the PS pump, I jacked up the car and turned the wheel lock to lock about 10 times with the engine off after reservoir/pump with new fluid.

I know there is bad fluid in the line, but I'm not seeing the fluid in the reservoir change color at all. Is this normal? I've seen some folks talk about valves in the rack getting clogged and I had neglected my power steering system for years (the fluid was molasses colored when I did decide to work on it).

Any help or guidance is greatly appreciated.

Did you do a full flush or the turkey baster method?

I'm having an adventure after doing a flush (which helped ton at first) where it seems like I've lost pressure. I have a new pump on the way but it'll be a new rack and lines if that doesn't solve my issue. The fluid was straight black so I'm not sure if changing it allowed something worse to dislodge and make it's way to the rack as it feels harder to turn in one direction than the other.

 

[dtsimpala]

Did you do a full flush or the turkey baster method?

I'm having an adventure after doing a flush (which helped ton at first) where it seems like I've lost pressure. I have a new pump on the way but it'll be a new rack and lines if that doesn't solve my issue. The fluid was straight black so I'm not sure if changing it allowed something worse to dislodge and make it's way to the rack as it feels harder to turn in one direction than the other.

I did the turkey baster method. But during the power steering pump change, I was able to change out a lot more. I might go get a flush from a real mechanic and seeing if that fixes the issue. But I will have to say that my more reasonable mind is telling me "If a flush fixes your problem, then your item is still minutes from failure".

 

[dtsimpala]

So I took my car to Firestone this morning (my favorite mechanic has a lead time of 3 weeks), and they said that the rack and pinion is going out. It doesn't surprise me as I never changed my fluid like a responsible person would have.

I guess the power steering pump was good, but at 283K miles, preventative replacement isn't completely unwarranted

 

[firestk]

So I took my car to Firestone this morning (my favorite mechanic has a lead time of 3 weeks), and they said that the rack and pinion is going out. It doesn't surprise me as I never changed my fluid like a responsible person would have.

I guess the power steering pump was good, but at 283K miles, preventative replacement isn't completely unwarranted

Pretty much. Doing the flush turned out to be the prelude to more steering issues. there's no issue on being able to fully turn the wheel in either direction but there's no pressure for power assist now even though I can hear it trying. I have a new pump coming in to see if that solves it but I plan to replace the rack and hoses in the near future anyway since it started one sided. It took some doing but I found an acdelco reman. So ordering soon