The steering wheel is hard to turn when the car is cold and loosens when you turn the steering wheel fully a few times. It also squeaks when turning steering wheel fully. I have flushed the power steering fluid and remove all air from the system.
I would first like to determine if this is a hydraulic power steering issue or possible a ball joint linkage issue. A good test would be to jack the front end off the ground and perform the same test as before when COLD. See if there is a change from before. Also if you are using aftermarket or different size tires than factory it will make a difference.
Noises are difficult to diagnose in person let alone without being able to hear them. Here is a good step by step guide on how to diagnose a noise.
You may need to disconnect the steering joints and test to see if the noise is in the steering gear.
Replace Steering Gear
- Place front wheels facing straight ahead.
- Remove right and left tie rod to steering knuckle retaining nuts, then separate tie rods from knuckle using joint removal tool No. 09610-20012, or equivalent.
- Place match marks on intermediate shaft and control valve shaft, then disconnect intermediate shaft.
- Remove attaching nut, then clamp plate, Fig. 1.
- Disconnect pressure feed and return tubes using suitable tool.
- Remove attaching bolts and disconnect stabilizer bar, Do not remove stabilizer bar.
- Remove No. 1 fuel tube protector.
- Remove power steering gear attaching bolts and nuts.
- Lift up on stabilizer bar, then remove power steering gear from left side of vehicle.
- Reverse procedure to install, noting the following:
a. Torque tie rod end to steering knuckle nuts to 36 ft. lbs.
b. Torque steering gear line clamp nut to 72 in. lbs.
c. Torque steering gear mounting bolts to 134 ft. lbs.
d. Torque steering gear pressure and return tubes to 18 ft. lbs.
e. Torque steering gear universal joint bolt to 26 ft. lbs.
f. Torque stabilizer bar link nuts to 47 ft. lbs.
Okay Thank you but why is the steering wheel hard to turn. The power steering fluid change and sucking out the air from the power steering system did not change anything.
Like I stated: either a hydraulic issue OR possible a ball joint linkage issue. The reason WHY the steering wheel is hard to turn may be caused by a faulty ball joint, steering gear, oversized tires or failed component attached within the system.
Thank you, so it is not the power steering pump or steering rack
OH OK THANK YOU
I WILL GET THAT FIXED THANKS
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