steering wheel stiff when turning

[firebird19_99]

so today my steering wheel felt stiff when i turn. It was fine at first then it just got stiff all of a sudden and its not my power steering fluid because i checked it already. idk if this matters but the steering wheel turns itself back to its normal position after i turn. idk what could be wrong any input would be helpful. thanks

[ssms5411]

Re: steering wheel stiff when turning

Any noise? if not probably bad seal in the rack & pinion would be my guess.

[cam98aro]

Re: steering wheel stiff when turning

the power steering pump may be on its way out

did it only do it one time, or is it doing it all of the time now?

also, every car i have ever driven had te steering wheel go back to its normal position after i turn, and that includes cars from the 60's, 80's, 90's and 00's all with power steering.

[firebird19_99]

Re: steering wheel stiff when turning

the power steering pump may be on its way out

did it only do it one time, or is it doing it all of the time now?

also, every car i have ever driven had te steering wheel go back to its normal position after i turn, and that includes cars from the 60's, 80's, 90's and 00's all with power steering.

it does it all the time now...every turn i make is stiff

[tbonebuggs]

Re: steering wheel stiff when turning

I think I may be having this same issue, how much does it cost to replace the power steering pump?

[ssms5411]

Re: steering wheel stiff when turning

Its about $100 after you return your core after taking the pulley off. Plus power steering fluid, and should be able to rent a pulley puller for free if you don't have one. but usually the pump will have a small leak in the rear or make alot of noise.

[firebird19_99]

Re: steering wheel stiff when turning

i was doing donuts in the snow and i turned the steering wheel all the way to the right while doing the donut and when i tried to turn it to the left it was stiff all of a sudden.

[vr4gasm]

Re: steering wheel stiff when turning

yup you burnt your pump up alot of people burn them up during some fun 360s

[firebird19_99]

Re: steering wheel stiff when turning

yup you burnt your pump up alot of people burn them up during some fun 360s

so your almost a %100 that its the pump? thanks

[vr4gasm]

Re: steering wheel stiff when turning

i am 100% it happens to alot of people when they decide to do donuts

[ssms5411]

Re: steering wheel stiff when turning

This is why I don't do donuts and burnouts and whatnot, I had the same power steering pump for 160,000 + miles, just finally replaced it last year and replaced my R&P 3 weeks ago , do to the factory alm. piece inside wearing out and the rag joint wearing out(replaced with LS1 style coupler) and FE2 R&P. Cars will last along time if well taken care of and not abused(much anyways), I used Royal Purple power steering fluid after the old fluid was flushed out so I hope to get another 160,000 miles out of my new pump and FE2 R&P.

[firebird19_99]

Re: steering wheel stiff when turning

yea im done playing around with my car like that i hate when these things happen so i think i finally learned my lesson before something worse happens like a blown engine...thanks guys now all i have to do is order it offline and replace....ummm can anyone tell me how to replace the power steering pump?

[ssms5411]

Re: steering wheel stiff when turning

2 bolts that hold the pump on which you get to by going through the pulley holes, take off pulley and hoses. Install pulley on new or rebuilt pump and put bolts hoses back on, bleed system by turning the steering wheel left to right or let set over night and top off fluid and your done. Take old pump back for core refund.

[firebird19_99]

Re: steering wheel stiff when turning

sounds simple enough its just freezing and i hope it doesnt snow the day i decide to work on it lol

[firebird19_99]

Re: steering wheel stiff when turning

pump came in today going to wait till tomorrow to install. Anyone know what size socket i need to get the old bolts and pump out?