2001 Chevrolet Malibu Malibu hydraulic power steering

It sounds like the rack and pinion is bad. Have you checked that?

The only kind of bad rack that I am aware of is 1 that leaks or does not steer both ways. This 1 works fine when the pump is spinning faster apparently? But if it is bad i'd like to know what part is bad? The valving seems to be ok since it does steer properly when it is steering what else is there? I mean isn't it just a simple hydraulic cylinder with a valve control for this way or that? I wonder if there is a schematic of the hydraulic circuits somewhere not necessarily specific to this rack but generally speaking? I mean I remember when gm had all the rack problems before they started sleeving the valve bore so the valve "rings" would not wear into the bore walls and leak past/lose pressure. And I think in that case the symptoms were similar but dont make sense now considering the improvements made to the design. In all cases I have heard of with these symptoms with the new design the cure was the pump! Somebody suggested a restricted pressure hose/line/circuit? I have not eyeballed it yet to see if I can spot anything obvious. But if internal that would not be seen anyway. I would not enjoy going to the trouble of changing the rack only to find it still does not function right? Maybe I should try another pump before that?

The racks still wear out. Are the symptoms the same with the new pump as they were with the old one?

As far as I know yes I bought car after it was replaced and it's funny are fords really BETTER I have had 5 ford tempos with 300,000 before they rusted out and none of them ever had any P S issues! They may have leaked some but thats about it!

They all have there good and bad points. Like you, I always get American cars. Funny you mentioned Fords, the last two I had ran perfect but rusted from the inside out at what I consider low mileage. I see it a lot on the ones I work on. I just got a new Dodge Durango and love it. I just took a trip (340 miles) and just used over a half tank of gas. I got nearly 27 mpg which is really good for a 7 passenger 4wd suv. Regardless, I'm sure I will have problems with it too just like all the others. They All break. Lol

Well I bought US cause they were cheap BROKE! I've only owned 1 new car in my life a CHEVY IMPALA and I had so many new car problems I swore never again NEW! After I get this malibu good to go i'm gonna dump it when I find a nice 96ish toyota corolla cheap! That and a adult tricycle and i'm set for what is left of my DRIVING life! Unless they come out with a cheap little electric grocery getter!