power steering issues

[jowintt01]

I own an 87 non-turbo steering stiffens up and suddenly frees up after turning wheel side to side.High pressure hose changed a few months ago,steering has worked erratic since,mechanic said needs new rack,any suggestions?

[ochowdero]

mine did the same,
well actually it was out..
i drove it without any power steering for weeks so i got used to it.

but what i did was looked at my steering belt..
it was raggedy and old so i changed it, tightened that sucker up so tight,(not really, just pulled hard as hell til my friend tightened a bolt; i used a cro-bar to pry it tight)
and now it runs fine

just the lines and fluid for it also making sure you have good fluid and lines arent clogged

[btwilson86]

Originally Posted by ochowdero

just pulled hard as hell til my friend tightened a bolt; i used a cro-bar to pry it tight

Yeah..... That's a little too tight. Over-tightening the belt will cause premature belt wear and bearing wear in the power steering pump. I don't know off the top of my head the exact specification, but you should be able to move a properly adjusted belt a few mm's up and down in the center between the 2 pulleys

[btwilson86]

Originally Posted by jowintt01

I own an 87 non-turbo steering stiffens up and suddenly frees up after turning wheel side to side.High pressure hose changed a few months ago,steering has worked erratic since,mechanic said needs new rack,any suggestions?

Also you can try bleeding the power steering system. While parked with the engine running, turn the wheel completely from side to side several times. This should force most of the air out of the system. After doing this, you may need to add more Dexron-II to your power steering reservoir

[ochowdero]

Originally Posted by btwilson86

Yeah..... That's a little too tight. Over-tightening the belt will cause premature belt wear and bearing wear in the power steering pump. I don't know off the top of my head the exact specification, but you should be able to move a properly adjusted belt a few mm's up and down in the center between the 2 pulleys

well if you changed your power steering belt, after loosening it and putting the new one on, its hard to keep tension and tightened the bolts in place..
so i got a pry-bar and pulled the gear back til it was tight tightened up the bolts and bam! haha

hes right, you need to be able to push up and down on the belt. it should only move a tiny bit tho. if it moves alot its too loose, if it doesnt move at all its way too tight..



i tried bleeding my steering system and it worked for a bit. it worked better while i drove it, but pulling in and out of parking was a B****!

P.S ive already posted this once before, check the forum and see if you can find mine..
cre and acouple other guys got me on my way to fixing it.

[jowintt01]

Originally Posted by ochowdero

mine did the same,
well actually it was out..
i drove it without any power steering for weeks so i got used to it.

but what i did was looked at my steering belt..
it was raggedy and old so i changed it, tightened that sucker up so tight,(not really, just pulled hard as hell til my friend tightened a bolt; i used a cro-bar to pry it tight)
and now it runs fine

just the lines and fluid for it also making sure you have good fluid and lines arent clogged

Hey thanks I'll give it shot

[ochowdero]

come back and tell us if it worked out.
and no problem
just helpin a fellow out