I have a 96 Z28 M6 and was wondering if it was normal to have a hard time turning when I'm parking or moving slow. It's still under warranty so if there's something wrong I want to get it fixed soon. The reason I'm aking is I don't want to waste money having it checked out if this is normal.

 

Do you notice the power sortof coming and going in short bursts? Any 'flat spots'?

It's a hard question because no one knows what your idea of 'hard' is.

The cars are relatively hard to steer. They feel 'heavy' but the steering pumps aren't the best for sure. Go find a couple on lots and drive them and compare.

 

is your belt slipping?

 

Check to see if your water pump is dripping out of its weep hole (bottom of the water pump housing); if so, it drips right on to the accessory belt causing belt slippage and hard steering.

 

I'm practically fighting the steering wheel when I try to park. The water pump is newer, only about 5Kon it, and doesn't leak. I changed the belt last July but it's starting to squeek again. Sometimes it squeeks and sometimes it doesn't though. I've looked at the pulleys and the belt while it's running and it doesn't appear to be moving around. But I always hear a rattling noise when it's idling. I also tried giving it some gas because the rpms drop when I only use the clutch.

 

I might try driving a couple Zs this weekend. Would the LS1 pump or steering be different from the LT1.

 

yea this isnt my s/n......but i have a 96 z and its hard for me to turn my steering wheel too. i dont have a clue what it is?

 

Well if it's constant I would not think it's the belt or water leaking. Looking at it with no load on it won't do you any good. You might look at it while someone turns your wheel back and forth. If you hear squeaking you've either got a bearing going bad in an accessory (pump?) or a slipping belt, I would assume. A bad/dry pump bearing could cause extra load and make the belt slip.

Unless you're really weak it shouldn't be that hard. No one's been messing with your rack/pinion preload adjustment have they?

 

I think I know what your talking about,
for example...when you back out of a driveway slowly and the steering wheel is all the way turned and when you put it in first/drive and start to turn the wheel to straighten it out its kinda difficult for a second or two but then it regains its function as you start to accelerate and drive off. I've experienced that a few times but its not to the point where your fighting it, mines pretty normal....hmmm. I wonder if you have an intake leak or something? Vacuum leak will cause your car to cut out at idle and parking when turning the wheel. At least thats what happended with a Ford Escort I had. There was an intake leak and at idle or parking I would turn the wheel and it would die or almost die on me, totally fighting the wheel.

 

How's your power steering fluid?

 

The fluid looks good. I'll try having someone turn the wheel to see if the belt slips. If it does would it be the power steering pump thats bad?

 

That's exactly what it's doing Z06Z28. If that's normal I don't mind it, but it's stillunder warranty so I want to get it fixed if it's broke.

 

Easy way to tell. When your turning without rolling, rev the car, if it gets easier to turn, your pump is shot like mine has been for 2 years

-Shannon

 

diddo ... my '93 has had no power steering since i bought it 3 years ago .. although i havent driven it much either. when you give it fuel, the steering is normal and good to go...but parking/backing up or even trying to just turn the wheel without rolling is a true workout! Your pump is shot if you have these symptoms. I'm gonna get the new pump from Advance Auto which is $100, then you take your old pump back in and get $50 back. So, $50 for a new pump aint too bad and should do the trick. G'luck!

 

Make sure you are able to take the pulley off the old pump. We had to buy one for heathers lt-1 3rd gen swap, no pulley...lol
They have been waiting 6 months for their core back cause i'm too lazy to pull the pulley off...lol

-Shannon