2001 Chrysler Concorde Hard Steering

Tiny
DVALEDA
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 CHRYSLER CONCORDE
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 17,500 MILES
Our 2001 Chrysler Concorde has recently developed a hard steering on left turn issue. The steering works fine when turning right but is a beast to turn at low speeds going left. This happened all of the sudden when our son was driving home. Any thoughts?
Saturday, March 14th, 2009 AT 7:19 PM

5 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
If the fluid is full, have the ball joints and other steering components checked. Also, a bad bushing in the rack and pinion could be causing the problem. Are there any leaks?

Joe
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Monday, March 16th, 2009 AT 1:40 PM
Tiny
DVALEDA
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Thank you for your response!

The fluid level is good and there does not appear to be any leaks. Can a power steering pump cause this or would it be difficult to steer in both directions.
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Monday, March 16th, 2009 AT 3:21 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
I would say the pump would be hard in both directions. Chances are there is a problem with the rack and pinion.
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Monday, March 16th, 2009 AT 3:46 PM
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 34,330 POSTS
175,000 miles, huh? If this were a GM product, the problem would have shown up at 35,000 miles!

Your rack and pinion assembly has what's called "morning sickness". It starts in cold weather. There are four teflon seals that shrink and allow pressurized power steering fluid to bypass the power piston. It only affects turning in one direction at first. The other direction will lose power assist within the next few months. The problem usually goes away as the fluid warms up.

Due to the location of the rack and pinion assembly, it's not a do-it-yourselfer project. It will also require an alignment after replacement of the assembly.

Caradiodoc
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Sunday, March 29th, 2009 AT 6:17 AM
Tiny
MICHAELTRAVER
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Thank you! My 2003 grand caravan has had the same problem for a couple of years - when it is below 40, there is no power assist turning left. Sometimes I can feel a "pop" and it suddenly has assist again, and the problem goes away when the van (or the weather) warms up.
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Friday, January 18th, 2013 AT 5:49 PM

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