tough steering....

[bfrey003]

I wanted to know if tough steering was normal on cabbies? I've had new cars where you can use a finger to turn them. My cab tends to require muscle. I've been told that the ps fluid needs to be flushed, would that fix the toughness or might it be something else?

Also, to service the power steering they say will be $100. is there a write up on this anywhere???

thx!

[Calimus]

The steering shouldn't require much human power. They aren't finger turn easy like a lot of American domestic cars though. They were designed to allow you to feel the road through the steering, but you shouldn't have to be built like popeye in order to do turn the wheel.

Flushing the system they way they are talking requires a pump system that they will hook in and likely back flow the system. You could be low on fluid, the pump could be faulty or even the rack/lines could have problems. I've never had one flushed and I've been lucky that aside from my Audi, I've never had any power rack problems. So I don't really know if that's a fair price to flush the rack. Personally it seems maybe a tat high, but again, I just can't be sure.

[Briano1234]

100 bucks
The power steering racks are self priming, and bleeding
So here is a quick how to on replacing the fluid

Here is the p/s res.


Unscrew the black outer cup and remove the Center Spring


Suck the majority of the fluid out with a turkey baster.




Using clean Dextron III refill it and replace the black cap.

Start your car and turn the rack from lock to lock about 5 times.

Take the black cap off again, suck out fluid and repeat.

Take the black cap off again, suck out fluid and repeat.

Take the black cap off again suck it out, then add 1/4 can of Seafoam ATF/power steering fluid... Replace the spring. Replace the cap
Start car turn wheel lock to lock about 5 times.

Top off fluid with ATF.
Done
Saved a few bucks.

[bfrey003]

that seems easy enough! Thanks

[bfrey003]

stupid questions:

1) what do i do with the old fluid?

2) the seafoam product, is this it?? http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/Catal ... 0006528070

3) when you say top off with ATF, do u mean the dextron 3?

4) why do you say to use ATF instead of PSF???

this is one of the simple looking things so i just want to make sure i do it right.

Thx!

[Briano1234]

stupid questions:

1) what do i do with the old fluid?

Take the catch fluid and take it to a car part sore, usually by law they have to re-cycle it.

2) The seafoam product, is this it?? http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/Catal ... 0006528070


Yes that is the product to buy.

3) when you say top off with ATF, do u mean the dextron 3?


Yes

4) why do you say to use ATF instead of PSF???


Dextron III is the compatible fluid to interchange with the power steering fluid, regular power steering fluid isn't correct.

[bfrey003]

thank you much. i'm going to do this today

[bfrey003]

Success! steering is still a little tough on really tight turns, but normal turns seem to be a little more fluid and easy. on a side note, not sure how but now my passenger side window goes up faster....not sure if there's a connection, but i'm happy either way

[Calimus]

New fluid is prollie allowing the pump to turn easier which means the engine turns over better (isn't bogged down by the pump as much) meaning the alt turns a bit quicker resulting in a little more juice for the window motor to use. It's like domino's

[bfrey003]

went to the shop to get an oil change so they could look over the car as well, and they told me why i have tough steering; i have no power steering belt..... :/

not sure why the last shop didnt tell me but w/e. they wanted to charge me about $70 but i'm thinking (hoping) i can do this one my self. I have both haynes (hardcopy) and bentley (pdf) books but i really dont like those, anyone have a good write up of this??

going home to parents this week where my dad has a lot more tools so i'm hoping to get this taken car of.


Thanks a lot!!!

[Calimus]

Oh wow. We kind of missed the obvious on that one. Sorry. That belt is pretty easy since it's the outer most belt. The tricky part is loosening up the pace pump itself as there are a few hidden bolts on the back side of the pump. I think Brian has done a write up on this but I don't remember for sure. I'll have to see if I have any pics that show those hidden bolts.

[Briano1234]

How to remove a ps pump, has all the bolts on it...
viewtopic.php?f=9&t=2687

the hidden bolts are on the back of the pump bracket

[bfrey003]

so do i need to actually remove the pump? or just loosen it up to slide the belt on

[Briano1234]

Loosen the top pivot bolt.
Loosen the 2 bolts on the back side of the pump not the 2 pan mount bolts.
Loosen the nut on the back of the adjuster
Now you can move the adjuster to move the pulley closer or further.
No removal needed.