Power steering got stupid

[Rich88]

These days my Waggy use is restricted to occasional Home depot runs, and sits for months at a time between use.


Yesterday I fired her up for such a run and behold, the steering was very stiff. I checked the PS pump fluid level - was OK. No belt squealing either.


The power steering is not totally gone, but gone enough so that the wheels do not return to center when driving, which made for a very interesting white knuckle trip to/from Home depot. I hoped something would "clear up" from driving it, but t'was not to be.


The last time I used it, there was no problem at all.


Any ideas what's gone/shot/broke?

[joe]

You running PS fluid or brake fluid? How long has it been since the fluid has been changed?

[Rich88]

Brake fluid?! I think you might have been meant tranny fluid. Anyway, its been tranny fluid forever on all my past & present waggys. Never a problem. And never changed.


However, upon thinking about it, I'm guessing the pump is shot. If there were binding in the power steering unit itself, the belts would squeal against the resistance.

[babywag]

I've seen bad ball joints do that, believe it's called memory steer.
They freeze up/bind from extended periods of sitting/non-use.

Kind of like cruise control for steering.

[Carnuck]

The pressure relief in the pump may be stuck open. Turn the steering wheel lock to lock with the wheels off the ground and running. First, it should be easy. If not, then balljoint bind is possible. Going to the lock may bump it up enough to knock the regulator loose.

[Rich88]

Good ideas

Will do the jack-it-up & play-with-it thing this weekend.


Meanwhile, I ordered a new PS pump anyway. Just went over 160K, so can't hurt.


Tnx guys