Pump, Rack, Or Fluke?

[Ict_Lx]

Today I got in my car after my haircut and the steering wheel was hard to turn. I pulled out of the parking lot and onto the road only to decide quickly that something was not right. I pulled off on a side road and checked the fluid level. All appeared to be good so I got back in and pulled back on to the road. Once I got up to speed the steering improved but was still not 100%. Has this happened to anyone else? If so, what did you have to replace? I'm really hoping it's not the rack, although it did have some play when I changed my outer tie rod ends. Can just the VAPS part go bad?

 

[RoadSHO]

Check your 15 amp fuse under the hood that controls your SARC and power steering control. I unplug the fuse when I go to the track, it gives the car a stiffer ride.

 

[me6894]

my guess would be the pump just because its more common, but you can use a power steering analyzer to determine it... thats for GM not sure if ford has something like that

 

[Ict_Lx]

my guess would be the pump just because its more common, but you can use a power steering analyzer to determine it... thats for GM not sure if ford has something like that

I was leaning towards the pump as well but since it hasn't been making noise or losing fluid I thought that I would check with you guys and see. I'll check the fuse tomorrow morning and see what's going on there.

 

[me6894]

lets put it this way... id rather replace the pump to find out its the rack then replace the rack to find out its just the pump

 

[93rev2sev]

Could be the belt slipped? They don't squeel until they heat up.

I've had your experience on my GEN2. Felt like a momentary loss of steering boost. My thoughts are probably wishful thinking.

Debris in the system is the other HOPE for an easy fix. If you can flush it really well, you might be in luck.

 

[SHOZ123]

The pumps are pretty simple and there isn't much to go wrong with them.





I put the hose barb in there to eliminate the pesky Ford rubber ****** thing. Using a 3/8" compression fitting on the steel line at the rear of the intake using hose clamps and steel reinforced hydraulic hose.

 

[Ict_Lx]

I drove it all day yesterday and didn't have any problems. I don't think that I will start replacing things until I know for sure what happened/is happening. I've replaced a rack before and have no desire to undertake that task at the moment. Thanks for all the suggestions/ideas. I'll update in here if it happens again. When it started acting up it reminded me of the time my crappy autozone filter broke in two peices and let all of my power steering fluid out in my 96' SLO. Strangely enough that pump still works fine even after driving like that for a couple of days.