Power steering issue.

[voogru]

Hi,

For some reason, my power steering seems to lock into the "stiff" setting, and not ease up on stiffness when I slow down.

For example, if I drive my car around the yard, doing no more than 5 mph, the power steering is fine, however, once I go past 30-40 MPH, it seems to lock in the maximum stiffness setting, and it never changes back.

I am assuming this has something to do with the VAPS, but anyone have any ideas what I could look at to determine the cause of the problem?

 

[shoebilly]

The rack is a 2 way hydraulic cylinder if a seal is bad it will work againset itself causing mometary stiffness at the wheel at the worn spot. If this is the case you need to replace the rack. This job sucks and will cost you good money if a garage does it. How does the fluid look. Black is normal on high milege cars, unfortunatly the fluid should never have the chance to turn black be cause it should be changed once in a while. If its red or somewhat clear then its been changed after the fact. If your lucky the belts slipping. Your best/cheap quick fix is changing the oil in the system. If the pump goes bad you have no power assist at all, if the rack is bad you get stiff spots rotating the steering wheel that you might not notice unless you're driving along. This is the sad truth. Nobody changes the hydraulic oil in the steering syst. nobody does the brake fluid, nobody does the cooling syst. These are real world facts.How many miles?

 

[voogru]

Forgot to mention that the power steering fluid was replaced about a year ago, and replaced again just recently when the water pump was replaced.

The power steering rack was also rebuilt when we rebuilt the transmission, just a over year ago.

I am just wondering if there is any electrical components inside the car that govern the VAPS, that may have gone bad.

 

[LeddZepp8687]

I cant offer any help, However, Why are you driving around on your yard?? Im sure your grass doesnt like you!!

 

[voogru]

Had to drive it around the yard to move a golf cart that wouldnt roll.

 

[ohfosho]

The VSS in the tranny also plays a small role in how the VAPS reacts...if your car is ATX, do you notcie hard/or odd shifting sometimes?

i had the jerky steering before, and my car was shifting bad, so i pulled codes and then replaced the VSS, and that solved all the issues. i still need a power steering flush...my fluid is black, and the system hisses durning long cornering.