Got a major problem with my power steering...

Here's how it started:

I went to the store about a week ago, and when i got back in my car, I start it up, it starts "camming" then shuts off. Try it again, it studders, then shuts off. Not knowing about the simple but killer fuel pump resistor, and not wanting to leave my car in the middle of the ghetto, i called my buddy, and he pushed me home. yes as stupid as that sounds, his camry pushed my already cracked bumper, about 1.5 miles to my house. We thought it would be alright, and i saved 50 bucks or so in towing, and not getting broken into.

After I bypassed the fuel pump problem, car starts up fine. I go to drive it, and it has some major hard spots in the steering especially turning left. Basically i get to 9 o'clock or so in steering, and it feels like I have no power steering. Same about 3-4 o'clock position. Also, going straight, the wheel is offset to about 10 o'clock.

Yesterday, i jacked the front end up, and begain to try to bleed the system, and noticed a leak of power steering fluid as i turn the wheel left. I went under and this is what i saw:



Picture was taken laying down, facing up, feet at front of car. About 3 feet or so from driver side wheel.

Anyone know what that is? that seems to be where it is leaking from, and attached to the rack and pinion It looked like it had some kind of cap or gromet over it that fell off.

Any input would be great, I know it wasn't a good idea to turn too much with car off, but not i'm stuck driving a mini van! thanks in advance.

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[b]

Best guess is part number 33 fell off, and you probably lost a couple of bearings as well:



If memory serves, there was a recall on some power steering racks for this problem. Might be worth calling the dealer, and see if it's covered under the recall. Have your VIN handy when you call. Hope that helps!

Edit: Found it, it's in the GM Service Manual under Document ID: 1318558 #02049: Product Safety - Power Steering Gear Lower Pinion Bearing Separation - (Apr 30, 2003)

Thanks a lot for the reply. Just got back from the dealer, They said that there is only one recall "open" and its the engine oil fire one. They claimed the power steering one was fixed in 2003, but Idk. I had them do the engine oil one, thinking they would replace the valve cover gasket, but they just put some 2 dollar plastic retainers on the spark plug wires, and it took them 2 hours to do that...

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[b]

Yeah, they keep sending the reminders to bring my car in for the engine fire recall. If I were getting new valve cover gaskets or fuel lines out of it, then maybe I'd bring it.

they do both on the GTP. if it's still leaking then the cover is cracked


i had the GTP done and argued with them for over an hr to try and get the rear replaced as well. i was so close untill the shop manager came back from lunch

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92 LeBaron Convert: Turbo 3L 97 Grand Prix GT 4dr "Frankenstein": L67 4t65 swap
97 Grand Marquis: Summer DD 99 Grand Prix GTP: Top Swap Beater

What years does this recall cover?

-- Wed Mar 30, 2011 5:53 pm --

What years does this recall cover?

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Fast.Loud.Shiny

I believe it's just the series II engines, but I'm going to go check it out to make sure.

When my girlfriend took her car in for it, they did the plastic wire pieces and handed her a box of Felpro VC gaskets So guess what I got stuck doing? At least they paid for the gaskets.

According to Document ID: 2102817 in the service manual, the gasket is supposed to be replaced and not just the wire pieces. Too bad that's not actually the case for most people

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Dubs:00 VW GTI VR6, Low and Slow 91 VW GTI 8v, Shave the Bay!! 91 VW Cabriolet 8v, bitch Basket
GP's:04 GP GT, Past now G-Ma's Girlfriend's 97 GP GT, "Project Pink Power"

i still find it funny that they replace the front one but the rear leasks as well and under acceloration it is more likly to spill oil on the rear manifold the have oil leak on the front "durring hard braking"

most fires start from the rear of the engine bay from the pics i have seen no idea why GM was focust on the front of the engine

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92 LeBaron Convert: Turbo 3L 97 Grand Prix GT 4dr "Frankenstein": L67 4t65 swap
97 Grand Marquis: Summer DD 99 Grand Prix GTP: Top Swap Beater

Yeah, not sure why they didn't include the back one as well. There was a house a mile away from my girlfriend's that burned down, and guess what kind of car was sitting in the garage, yup a GP. It was a scary site seeing the frame of a burnt out house with a car in what used to be a garage.

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Dubs:00 VW GTI VR6, Low and Slow 91 VW GTI 8v, Shave the Bay!! 91 VW Cabriolet 8v, bitch Basket
GP's:04 GP GT, Past now G-Ma's Girlfriend's 97 GP GT, "Project Pink Power"

the GTP stays out side most of the time. for that reason at least untill i replace the rear gasket

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92 LeBaron Convert: Turbo 3L 97 Grand Prix GT 4dr "Frankenstein": L67 4t65 swap
97 Grand Marquis: Summer DD 99 Grand Prix GTP: Top Swap Beater

The best part is they aren't replacing the fuel line o-rings which also are a cause of engine compartment fires.

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'05 WRX STi - COBB Stage 2|Invidia DP|3" Borla XR-1|Coilovers|Camber Plates|Swaybars|Endlinks|Bushings|Braces|Anti Lift Kit|DBA4000s|SS lines|
Sold: 06 Cobalt SS/SC, 99 GTP 245WHP/326 Ft-lbs, 06 R6

my entire rack needs to be replaced in my car. It, from what i was told, was missing some bushings which caused all the pump oil to go into the boot. It leaks but very slowly. I can still drive it but my car steers kind of funny. Cant wait to get it replaced but it gonna cost me 600 bucks.

-- Thu Apr 07, 2011 6:09 pm --



they did that exact same thing to my car, but they also replaced both the upper and lower intake gaskets and valve cover gaskets. I originally went in to get a new o2 sensor and oil change and that is also the other stuff I ended up replacing. It cost me $1700 for all that. And this was the day after i bought this car.

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money is money, I don't care where it comes from

Sorry to say but it sounds like you've been had.

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'05 WRX STi - COBB Stage 2|Invidia DP|3" Borla XR-1|Coilovers|Camber Plates|Swaybars|Endlinks|Bushings|Braces|Anti Lift Kit|DBA4000s|SS lines|
Sold: 06 Cobalt SS/SC, 99 GTP 245WHP/326 Ft-lbs, 06 R6

They said mine was fixed in 2003 also,
My car won't steer to the right at all, left is fine, boot is real wet, can I repair or is it time for a mew/used R & P?

pics?

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92 LeBaron Convert: Turbo 3L 97 Grand Prix GT 4dr "Frankenstein": L67 4t65 swap
97 Grand Marquis: Summer DD 99 Grand Prix GTP: Top Swap Beater

Thanks for replying,
None yet think I will just get a new R & P so I don't run into prob later on left side.
Autozone got one for a couple hundred, used ones I find have just as many miles as mine if not more. Rock Auto had a decent deal also, actualy ebay had one for 109.00

http://item.mobileweb.ebay.com/viewitem ... 823616i297

What ya think?

Be looking for struts f & b, what else should be replaced with 135k on car?
Thanks Again

i never replace any thing unless it is worn out at that milage hard to tell. but if the rest is good i would leave it.

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92 LeBaron Convert: Turbo 3L 97 Grand Prix GT 4dr "Frankenstein": L67 4t65 swap
97 Grand Marquis: Summer DD 99 Grand Prix GTP: Top Swap Beater

Will do thanks, how about that R & P on ebay?

http://item.mobileweb.ebay.com/viewitem ... 7823616297

Oh and apologies for jacking thread.

no idea never bought one from them

actualy never had to buy a steering rack

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92 LeBaron Convert: Turbo 3L 97 Grand Prix GT 4dr "Frankenstein": L67 4t65 swap
97 Grand Marquis: Summer DD 99 Grand Prix GTP: Top Swap Beater

Best pics from bottom I could come up with, boot is dry on tie rod end and only wet on bottom. Think its repairable?

I know; probobly can't see enough to diagnose, more less just messing around till payday
But hopefully u see something I don't

not sure if it is repairable from the pics but i want to say no

-- Mon Oct 17, 2011 6:21 pm --

not sure if it is repairable from the pics but i want to say no

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92 LeBaron Convert: Turbo 3L 97 Grand Prix GT 4dr "Frankenstein": L67 4t65 swap
97 Grand Marquis: Summer DD 99 Grand Prix GTP: Top Swap Beater