8 replies to this topic

[dcintraining]

Hi All,

We were having a steering problem on our 1993 850GLT with 193K miles. When turning left or right at about 15 degrees the steering would bind up until you used enough force and then it would let go and you would oversteer into the next lane. Very unsettling. I took the car to my local shop who diagnosed the problem as a bad steering rack which we replaced with a rebuit unit.

We got the car back and we still had binding problems. This time the wheel was binding up inconsistantly, sometimes it would bind up at 5 degrees then 15 degrees or sometimes not at all. The longer you drove it, the worse it would become. Took the car back to the shop and replaced the power steering pump with a rebuilt unit. Got the car back and the binding is not as bad, but it is definately still there. Very frustrating .

At this point I don't know what else to replace. My wife and I are both Graduate Students so I can't keep throwing money at the car (even though I love it) .

A friend thought that the high pressure line might have one way check valves that are bad. Anyone have any other ideas?

Thanks!

Eoin

[whilst]

Hi All,

We were having a steering problem on our 1993 850GLT with 193K miles.  When turning left or right at about 15 degrees the steering would bind up until you used enough force and then it would let go and you would oversteer into the next lane.  Very unsettling.  I took the car to my local shop who diagnosed the problem as a bad steering rack which we replaced with a rebuit unit.

We got the car back and we still had binding problems.  This time the wheel was binding up inconsistantly, sometimes it would bind up at 5 degrees then 15 degrees or sometimes not at all.  The longer you drove it, the worse it would become.  Took the car back to the shop and replaced the power steering pump with a rebuilt unit.  Got the car back and the binding is not as bad, but it is definately still there.  Very frustrating . 

At this point I don't know what else to replace.  My wife and I are both Graduate Students so I can't keep throwing money at the car (even though I love it) . 

A friend thought that the high pressure line might have one way check valves that are bad.  Anyone have any other ideas? 

Thanks!

Eoin

Hi. Since it's still binding,you might have your mechanic check all components that pivot/rotate.: strut mounts,tie rod ends.
HTH.whilst

[prasamin]

Boy, you need a new shop. They discarded a perfectly good rack? Proof is with the new rack, the binding was still there and even got worse.

How's the steering's universal joint behind the kickpanel where the steering goes through the firewall? Maybe it's binding there.

Edit: Work with the shop until you're satisfied. 

or make the shop work with you until you're satisfied....i would look under the kick panel to see the joint there....

[dcintraining]

Thanks for the replies!

There was no doubt that the rack was bad, although there is still binding, it is no where near as bad with the old rack. The binding is now inconsistant, that is sometimes it does it at a particular point in a turn, but then it won't bind at the same spot during a similar turn.

On this car there is a lower steering knuckle. The shop that replaced the rack said that that knuckle was moving smoothly in all directions ( I had told them to replace it if needed)

As for the joint behind the kick panel, can it be lubricated? Is there a way to test it without pulling the whole upper column out?

What about the high pressure power steering hose, does anyone know if that has check valves?

Thanks!

Eoin

[Rooooney]

I had the same problem on my 1993. I changed the pump and that did nothing. I was about to pull the rack but first I decided to try an additive. I figured why not at this point so I added this stuff called Lucas Oil power steering fluid stop leak. I did not have a leak but the stuff was recommended to me anyhow. I used it once and have not had a problem since. That was about 15,000 miles ago. I know very little about the steering system but I must say it worked for me.

[KLS]

I've used two products effectively in my power steering...Auto-Rx to clean and recondition the seals, and Lubegard Power Steering Protectant for extra performance in the new fluid.


Ken

[MikeH]

Theres a steering universal joint that tends to bind. its between the firewall and rack. I had the same thing as you mention. It would bind thoughout the steering range. Best thing to do is get it changed out. In my case I had friend who heated mine up with a torch and repacked it with grease. Worked like a charm. - for how long.. dunno.

[lcc014]

Hi All,

We were having a steering problem on our 1993 850GLT with 193K miles.  When turning left or right at about 15 degrees the steering would bind up until you used enough force and then it would let go and you would oversteer into the next lane.  Very unsettling.  I took the car to my local shop who diagnosed the problem as a bad steering rack which we replaced with a rebuit unit.

We got the car back and we still had binding problems.  This time the wheel was binding up inconsistantly, sometimes it would bind up at 5 degrees then 15 degrees or sometimes not at all.  The longer you drove it, the worse it would become.  Took the car back to the shop and replaced the power steering pump with a rebuilt unit.  Got the car back and the binding is not as bad, but it is definately still there.  Very frustrating . 

At this point I don't know what else to replace.  My wife and I are both Graduate Students so I can't keep throwing money at the car (even though I love it) . 

A friend thought that the high pressure line might have one way check valves that are bad.  Anyone have any other ideas? 

Thanks!

Eoin

Had the same problem at yours, and dealer found the U-joint biinded. Replaced the U-joint and steering is as good as new. I think that nothing wrong with your rack and pump. You need to find a new shop !!!! The U-joint is between the rack and the steering column. It starts to bind after many years of usage. It is definitely much cheaper than the pump and rack.

Ching-Ho Cheng