power steering?

[hypedz34]

at a stop its REALLY hard to turn the wheel also when im turning slowly without gas.but when i give it gas its a lot easier to turn but theirs a small shutter from left to right in the steering wheel while driving what exactly is happening??my guess is the power steering pump is going out or something to that extent.any help is greatly appreciated

[jmgtp]

The left to right shudder while moving is probably a warped rotor which would be a separate issue from your difficult power steering.

Since the wheel is only hard to turn at idle and it gets easier as engine speed increases that indicates the problem is the pump. If you have an underdrive pulley on the crank the pump could be spinning too slow at idle and not providing adequate pressure but that is unlikely - I have an UD pulley and no power steering probs. Pump just may be going bad and not able to provide the pressure needed at low rpm.

If you have the car stopped and rev the engine engine is it easier to turn the wheel OR is it only easier when the car is moving?

Check the fluid level first but you can also try adding some lucas power steering fluid. It is THICK fluid and may help out a worn pump just a bit.

[hypedz34]

its only easier when the car is moving.it starts getting harder to turn as i slow down as well.

[pocket-rocket]

Check your belt as well. A shudder in the wheel while turning could also be a few other things. Bad tire, bad tie rod end, bent hub.

[hypedz34]

these problems just started happening to me today.exactly what would be happening if i needed rack and pinion along with the a new fuel pump?also what other car could i get a fuel pump from that would fit?a regular lumina our lumina euro?

[jmgtp]

what other car could i get a fuel pump from that would fit?a regular lumina our lumina euro?

Just to clarify, did you mean power steering pump rather than fuel pump?

Since you have the DOHC pump is specific to the DOHC so that limits you a bit. They did come in all sorts of W cars though. I believe the later years had some kind of sensor or switch on the pump itself. Not sure if it would be okay to use that on an earlier dohc and just leave it unplugged. Rebuilt pumps at the big chain stores are not that much. Probably less than $100 without the reservoir.

[WrathOfSocrus]

The power steering pump is the same part number. The reservoir is the difference between the pushrod and DOHC pumps. If the steering shudder is only happening at low RPMs while turning then it could be the belt or pump. I'm not certain how the variable assist steering works but if your car is equipped with it then that could cause the sudden change if it failed. Also the power steering pressure switch on the rack could have gone. I believe it is supposed to bump up the RPMs under steering load? Not certain but if it does then that could cause issues.

[nixtux]

On topic, but different issue. Instead of new thread figure post here.

My pump is spraying fluid and winding. The noise could be it's low on fluid (now,) but
I'm not sure about the leak. The leak seems to be coming from the rubber hose from
the pump. I'm not sure if it's the pump or the hose. Any suggestions on how I can
verify which?

EDIT: There is a pinhole in the line. Not exactly easy to fix, but a simple problem.