1993 Dodge Caravan Power Steering Woes

1993 DODGE CARAVAN
204,000 MILES • 6 CYL • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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SHADOWALMIGHTY
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After 204k miles, I decided to rebuild the front end on my 1993 Dodge Grand Caravan, and replaced just about everything I could: tie rod ends, ball joints, bushings, hub bearings, power steering pump, water pump, timing chain, and rack and pinion.

When I first started driving the car, I noticed that on left turns, it REALLY wanted to turn left and did not return to center very well. Right turns are no problem. I had it aligned, thinking this was the cause, but there was no change.

I'm thinking maybe the rotary valve in the rack and pinion is leaking fluid into one side of the cylinder.
Ideas??
Oct 28, 2010 at 8:08 AM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Is the rack new or remanufacturered?
Oct 29, 2010 at 9:18 AM
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SHADOWALMIGHTY
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I'm assuming it is remanufactured. I bought it at Advanced Auto. It has a lifetime gaurantee.
Oct 29, 2010 at 4:08 PM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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If I had to guess, it sounds like you got a bad one. Have you double checked your work to make sure everything was properly put together?
Nov 1, 2010 at 12:12 PM
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SHADOWALMIGHTY
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The suspension is pretty simple, there's not much to mess up. I'm pretty confident everything is installed correctly. I notice that with the engine (and thus power steering) is turned off, the car tracks straight. But turn on the engine, and the steering wheel immediately turns left a bit. That says the power steering system is at fault, right?
Nov 4, 2010 at 2:02 PM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Based on your description, I would have to say yes.
Nov 4, 2010 at 4:26 PM
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