alright i was taking a turn last night and then my steering just went to that hard i'm going to have to rip off my steering wheel for every turn i take feeling. i checked the power steering resivior and it was at the correct level. any ideas? power steering pump go out? i also checked for leaks and it looked pretty clean to me. and as i was trying to pull into a parking spot last night. as i did tap the accelerator, it did make a it a tiny bit easier to turn. thanks guys.

 

Usually from a slipping belt.

 

if the pumps not makin noise, its full, and the belts tight.... probably the rack.

 

i was hoping it wasnt the rack but the pump definitly isnt making any noise and its just a straight bitch trying to make my car turn. about how much would a new rack cost? i am an average mechanic, could i replace it? and where would i get a new one? thanks guys

 

I dunno about v6's but i imagine its not much different, the rack on a v8 you undo the two tie-rod ends (they go into the steering knuckle) then undo the two lines where the steering shaft comes in, take the cover off the steering shaft and unto the bolt holding it on, pry the steering shaft off then undo the two bolts bolting it to the cross member (theres 2 holes under them on the crossmember where youl'l need to put another wrench to hold the nut). bolting it back up the only thing you need to do special is make sure the steering shaft lines up right, theres a notch in the square part you pried it off of for the bolt to fit make sure its in the right location on the steering shaft, and youl'l need to bleed the lines, shbox.com has instructions for bleeding, even if you screw up entirely on bleeding the lines as long as theres fluid in the resovior the air will work its way out eventually...

 

Yup, what he said, an ya its the same for the v6, only thing i'd like to add, make sure your steering wheel is locked in the straight position so for one, its lined up right when your done, and two so you dont break your air bag spring in the column. You'll probably need an alignment too, unless your like me an use a long straight board an do it yourself.-- at least till you have the money/ time to have it done.

 

local autoparts store has the rack for $120 and a $55 core charge. Might be different where you are, but an idea anyway. You might want to go to a suspension shop an (most that I know of wont charge you to tell you whats wrong) see if they will confirm it before you go through all the work and $$. You could probably get a used one for half that or less, but you never know what to expect with those or how long they will last. The new one has a lifetime warranty so you'll never have to pay for the part again as long as you own that car..... or one it'll fit... :P

 

on the older camaros 92 and down the pumps would snap between the pully and the rotor . it still turns the pump fine makes no noise and looks like it's functioning but no pressue . pop the lid and look for fluid flow in the container

 

alright thanks guys. my dad doesnt mind spending the money for the rack. we just want it to work again of course. it was just really weird how i was turning and it just stopped working. it didnt want to go back straight until i had to force it to which takes like all the energy in the world.