87' S4 with a S4 power steering system.

I just installed it and got all the new lines on and no more leaks finally. So when the RPM's go up the steering gets really hard. Even in neutral. Doesn't matter what gear either if the rpm's are up above idle its gets really stiff, I mean almost manual rack stiff. Should this happen? Is the pump bad? Thanks!

 

Think more about how fast the car is going rather than what your rpm's are.

i've driven a T2 with manual steering and it felt a lot like my P/S equipped n/a once you got out of a parking lot. It's a progressive type of power steering, way different from your mom's camry.

Is steering really light and easy at low speeds? It should feel completely different from a manual rack in a parking lot.

 

That's interesting, the s4 pump should be speed sensitive while the s5 should be engine speed sensitive. Maybe you don't have some of the electronics hooked up right.

Basically the electronics (the big bundle of wire that plug into the top of the pump) change how much "power" is added to the power steering. This way you get the sticky, grippy feeling of little power steering at high speeds, while getting the easily manueverable action at low speeds.

Check all the control wires - is the ps computer s4 or s5?

 

I have the S4 pump. The whole system is S4 of a 87'. Well everything is plugged in, I only had 3 plugs. 2 in the engine bay and 1 to the computer. I'll check them again but im pretty sure there plugged in because I remember they didn't want to go in. But yeah speed doesnt matter, bringing the rpm's up affects it.

 

Also I changed the pressure line with a new one from a auto parts store. And it wasn't hard like this before. But before I had a leak in the line that squirted every time I turned the wheel, that's why I changed it. What could that mean? Is there a certain way to install the banjo bolt?

 

was the system working in the car it came out of? double check to be sure there is a fuse in the location that feeds the computer, it may be missing since the car wasn't equipped with it.

 

Ben, Thank you! I was starting to pull my hair out. I was not looking forward to removing anything else ever again from this car. Who knew p/s had a fuse. Thanks again!

 

just a thought, still not sure if that is the answer or not, it may supply several other circuits with power so it may in fact have one in there but it is a good place to start.

 

Oh I already did it. Work fine now. That's what I mean to say in my previous post.

Do you know how I can raise my idle. Adding this strain to the eccentric shaft lowered it to 700. Maybe it will help the car start to. Thanks.

 

the screw on the upper backside of the throttle body(towards the firewall) is the only idle adjustment screw ya have left so use that to set the idle up a little higher now.

 

I can reach it without removing anything? Ok, I'll give it a shot. Thanks!

 

yep and np.