Steering is hard to turn?

Tiny
DENISEMCGAUGHY
  • MEMBER
  • 2004 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 80,000 MILES
How can I fix the steering on my car. It is very difficult to turn to the left. Turns the the right easily.
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Monday, July 27th, 2009 AT 8:31 AM

17 Replies

Tiny
MMPRINCE4000
  • MECHANIC
  • 8,549 POSTS
This is typical when the steering rack goes out here is are diagrams and instructions below to help you change it out. Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know if you need anything else to get the problem fixed.
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Monday, July 27th, 2009 AT 8:46 AM
Tiny
NUCLEARBOMB68
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Thank you for this post I had this problem and had to get a rebuilt rack cost me $245.00. Installed it works great I love this site.
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Sunday, September 29th, 2019 AT 5:31 PM
Tiny
REGGIS
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2001 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 83,000 MILES
Sometimes when I slow down to a craw or stop then turn my steering wheel is very hard to turn and don't know why.
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Sunday, September 29th, 2019 AT 5:31 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KEVIN12881
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  • 336 POSTS
This is differently your power steering. Does it make a squeaky noise? check for fluid 1st, and fill if low. You might need a pump

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-a-power-steering-pump

Please run down these guides and report back.
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Sunday, September 29th, 2019 AT 5:31 PM (Merged)
Tiny
REGGIS
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No noise and fluid level is full.
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Sunday, September 29th, 2019 AT 5:31 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KEVIN12881
  • MEMBER
  • 336 POSTS
Thes are the most common probles listed in haynes book. 1. Insufficient oil in pump. 2. Clogged hoses or oil filter in pump. 3. Loose pully 4. Worn or improperly adjusted drivebelt 5. Defective pump. Check your pully and belt. See if there is any grit in fluid. I do not think the pump would go bad with less than 100k miles, but it could happen
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Sunday, September 29th, 2019 AT 5:31 PM (Merged)
Tiny
INTHESAMEBOAT
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
You need a new rack. I have had this problem for years. I bought it back in 2003 and about a year later the problem started and gradually got worse. I have had it checked by a few mechanics and they all said the same thing. Whatever you do, don't get the dealer to do it, they will charge you way too much. I think the prices I got was about $550 - $600, I dont remember exactly. I just deal with it cause my car isn't gonna last too much longer and I have had so many other problems with it besides that and can't afford to do everything.

It is like you mentioned. Steers fine while going faster (although it doesn't as good as it did) then when you're slow, you have to pull on the wheel real hard to turn it. I find that when that happens, sometimes I just turn the opposite direction the quickly the way I need and sometimes the power assist kicks in.
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Sunday, September 29th, 2019 AT 5:31 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CAITLYNMORAN
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  • 3 POSTS
  • 2002 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX
  • 6 CYL
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 188,567 MILES
When I try and turn my wheel to the left it tries and jerks bqckbto the right its rea stiff on turns exspexially left turns I thought it was power sterring but im always putting some in. Its fine when im driving straight its just my turns that are hard it also makes a sound like somethings drafging suspected mufflers were down no there up also when im driving about 35-40 mph my front end starts to shake
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Sunday, September 29th, 2019 AT 5:32 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 107,922 POSTS
For the stiff steering, suspect a bad rack and pinion. Check it for leaks where the inner tie rods attach. There is a rubber dust boot there and it may be full of PS fluid.

As far as the vibration, check tire condition, check tire balance, check all steering components. If all is good, have the alignment checked.
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Sunday, September 29th, 2019 AT 5:32 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CAITLYNMORAN
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  • 3 POSTS
Had my car looked at and yes my rubber boot is full of ps fluid was told that I need a new rqck and pinion how long would i, be able to drive with my rack and, pinion messed up
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Sunday, September 29th, 2019 AT 5:32 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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That is a good question. Since you are already having trouble, it may already be dangerous to drive since you can't turn properly. As far as the problem, it will just progressively get worse.
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Sunday, September 29th, 2019 AT 5:32 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CAITLYNMORAN
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  • 3 POSTS
As long as my power steering os full my wheel turns fine
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Sunday, September 29th, 2019 AT 5:32 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CHRISTINE
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2000 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 200,000 MILES
Steering wheel hard to turn to left like power steering is out but turns ok to the right - check power steering fluid. It is OK
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Sunday, September 29th, 2019 AT 5:32 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,689 POSTS
Common GM problem called "morning sickness". There are grooves worn into the soft aluminum housing in the rack and pinion assembly for the spool valve. Those grooves cause internal leakage that allows the pressurized fluid to bypass the power piston rather than push on it and the steering linkage. It will get better as the power steering fluid warms up, and within a few weeks it will also turn hard to the right.

The best fix is to install a rack and pinion assembly remanufactured by Moog or Federal Mogul. They put in a stainless steel liner to prevent this from happening again. This can happen to any model of car but it WILL happen to every GM front-wheel-drive car. Too bad GM wouldn't build it better to start with.

Caradiodoc
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Sunday, September 29th, 2019 AT 5:32 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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If it works fine, then I would say until it gets to a point that you can't keep up with the leak. Just be careful.

Joe
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Sunday, September 29th, 2019 AT 5:32 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TOOMANYKIDS
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  • 1 POST
  • 1997 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX
  • 3.8L
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 200,000 MILES
Power steering turns just fine to the right, but gets very hard to the left, and isn't making any unusual noises, turning either way.
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Sunday, September 29th, 2019 AT 5:32 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
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It sounds as if the rack is starting to fail, probably a faulty flow control valve, the rack will have to be o/hauled or replaced I feel.
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Sunday, September 29th, 2019 AT 5:32 PM (Merged)

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