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Steering hard at shallow angles

  • Thread starter Thread starter KevinC
  • Start date Start date Mar 27, 2022
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KevinC

New Member
Jan 11, 2022
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Philadelphia, PA
Mar 27, 2022
#1
  • Mar 27, 2022
  • #1
Hi all,

I've been lurking here for a while, but this is my first post. The forum has been a great place for information!

I picked up a neglected 2003 GT from a friend and am bringing it back to road life. It is coming along nicely, but the steering is very stiff when first trying to make a turn. It's much less so in further angles - so, turning the wheel from straight / 0 degrees to the first half rotation is very stiff, and then extra effort to go beyond that is much easier. There is no noticeable noise, grinding, or whining at any point in the steering process.

Any thoughts on what this is likely to be? A bearings issue? A power steering pump / pulley issue? Or maybe downstream from the steering altogether (tierods?)?

Thanks, all.

Kevin
 

COramprat

...I can take it. I think.
20+ Year Stangneter
Mar 2, 2003
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Sea of Tranquility
Mar 27, 2022
#2
  • Mar 27, 2022
  • #2
Power steering pump sounds like the culprit. It's delayed in getting fluid where it needs to go. If it's been sitting a flush may do the trick
 
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KevinC

New Member
Jan 11, 2022
4
1
1
Philadelphia, PA
Mar 28, 2022
#3
  • Mar 28, 2022
  • #3
COramprat said:
Power steering pump sounds like the culprit. It's delayed in getting fluid where it needs to go. If it's been sitting a flush may do the trick
Click to expand...

Thank you! I'll give that a try.
 

manicmechanic007

5 Year Member
Sep 26, 2017
2,525
709
143
Roy, Utah
Apr 7, 2022
#4
  • Apr 7, 2022
  • #4
I agree
If you were at the dealer I would sell you a pump and of course CYA for the rack you may also need
The pumps are more common than control valve failure in the rack for lack of assist concerns
If there is a difference side to side or left and right, then the rack may need to be replaced
 
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