Problem with Steering

[95strokerPSU]

My car feels like the power steering isn't working, it's hard to turn the wheel in both directions. I can't remember if it was like this when I first bought the car before the engine rebuild, because I hadn't gotten my license back before I started to tear it down. I'm thinking it could be a bad pump, but I'd like to hear some more possible causes before I start buying and replacing parts. Could it possibly be the steering rack?

Few things I should mention....
1. When I started the rebuilt motor for the first couple times, there was no fluid in the pump, could I have damaged it?

2. I can move the pulley shaft in and out about an 1/8 of an inch.

3. Back around April, steering would be easy at random times.

Thanks
Dave

 

[mo_dingo]

My car feels like the power steering isn't working, it's hard to turn the wheel in both directions. I can't remember if it was like this when I first bought the car before the engine rebuild, because I hadn't gotten my license back before I started to tear it down. I'm thinking it could be a bad pump, but I'd like to hear some more possible causes before I start buying and replacing parts. Could it possibly be the steering rack?

Few things I should mention....
1. When I started the rebuilt motor for the first couple times, there was no fluid in the pump, could I have damaged it?

2. I can move the pulley shaft in and out about an 1/8 of an inch.

3. Back around April, steering would be easy at random times.

Thanks
Dave

Are you low on fluid again? That would be problem #1. And yes running the PS pump dry will cause it to fail. Try a new pump and see what happens. It's the likely culprit.
Scott

 

[HISSIN50]

Agreed with Scott. Has the car been driven a bit since the work was done and was it different (I did not quite follow the chain of events)? I am getting at making sure the system is bled (which it does very quickly, but it was worth asking).

the steering is fairly stiff, esp compared to a fox (the SN steering assist, being very underdriven - based on the helm sized pulley, makes the fox steering feel like a Cadillac).

Good luck.