Mark87AT

Well, after a delightful drive up to Napa to observe some TB action and meet a lot of great people, I noticed that, after shopping, as I pulled out of the parking lot, it was quite difficult to turn the steering wheel to the left of center, however to the right seemed fine. I pulled over and revved the engine, but didn't hear any squealing belts and got back in the car. It is better but still noticibly more difficult to turn to the left. Is this indicative of PS pump or some suspension/steering rack issue or something else...? thanks Mark

ErnestSw

In view of the fact that you haven't mentioned any jolts to the suspension it's most likely that you have a steering rack problem.

Nicole

You know, turning right three times equals a left turn...

Sorry I don't have a "REAL" answer, and hope you'll find out from someone who does.

It was great to meet you today! Hope to see you again at one of the upcoming events!

jserio

I agree with ernest. You may have a blockage of some kind in the rack that clogs on the left turn and releases on right turns. Doing a flush/fluid change might do you some good. Just my 2 cents.

SharkSkin

Tire pressure maybe? You mentioned that you had tie rods put on but no alignment. Does the car track straight on a level(side-to-side) road?

the flyin' scotsman

Mark.........I have a similar problem except turning right. During a recent MM R&R the steering rack leaked a couple of tablespoons of oil from the right boot. On completion of the MM project I cleaned all steering related components, checked s.fluid (ATF) and filled to the correct level. The issue on my car is more prominant when warm and is akin to having to overcome a sticking/blocking point before it releases resulting in higher effort to turn right at either parking lot speeds or higher. I'm doing the flush/ refill of steering fluid in hope of a solution.

justin

Mine does the same thing sometimes.

Mark87AT

Well the fluid was low so I topped it up but that didn't help things. I am gonna jack up the front end and take a look at the rack and pump for leaks. M

Mark87AT

Well, besides a ton of gunk and oil all over the bottom of the engine and steering rack, both boots are in excellent condition, one was replaced by Devek when they did the tie rods, and there doesn't appear to be any leaking fluid from them. It looks like oil that is on the metal cover over the steering rack, but I suppose I really need to clean it an look for leaks. So is power washing the best way to clean the underside of the car/engine and I guess there are places that do such a thing. I have a powerwasher but getting under the car with it seem like it might be difficult....

WallyP

While the car is in the air, try turning the wheels left and right, carefully checking for any difference in effort required.

Then crank the engine and repeat.

Mark87AT

Thanks Wally! will do.

docmirror

The pump should power the ram (rack) both left and right by moving fluid to the inside or outside of the ram. There is a ball check valve or splitter valve in the line somewhere near the output of the pump to divert either left or right. The ball check valve or diverter valve can get stuck in the bore, causing just what you describe. Works either left OR right, but not both ways.

The valve should be near the pump at the output of the high pressure side of the hose. Or possibly where it goes into the rack, I can't recall where. The WSM will point it out.

Garth S

Doc, perhaps it is the restrictor in the high pressure line that you are thinking of .... ?
The PS pump is "dumb" in the sense that it knows neither left nor right - it only provides flow at (high) pressure: The divertor and/ or seal bypass issue must be within the rack downstream of the center position of the pinion ( check out the hydraulic' bypass' lines banjo bolted to the rack body). The steering wheel inputs to the pinion are the control for flow direction within the rack cylinder.
If there are no mechanical restrictions in the steering linkage, as Wally is looking for, this often points to a rack rebuild ....
As an aside,I suspect that correctly centering the rack when installing tie rod ends/doing alignments can also have some impact on achieving equal left/right steering efforts - as a divertor can only split flow symetrically if it starts in a null or center position.

Jim bailey - 928 International

The 928 rack has a pressure in and pressure out (return) it uses a spool valve with a torque sensing rod so that when the resistance is high the spool valve directs the fluid pressure to help you turn. The steering shaft attaches to the torque rod and when not under turning load the pressure in both sides of the rack is the same. The spool valves can wear, seals go bad and you have more or less power assist. It is one of those things which works fine until it suddenly does not.

Glenn Evans

Mark,

I have heard of these symptoms being traced to the failure of the steering column bushes. Should one of these disintegrate, the pieces can restrict the rotation of the steering shaft in one direction more than the other. BEWARE! Sooner or later the pieces may jam the shaft altogether!!

If there is play in the steering column when the wheel is pushed up and down or side-to-side, one or both of the bushes are worn or broken.