I have traced the power steering to be messed up because of the alignment. I can hear the pump workin but no power. Do you think that my pump is being hurt because of the offset alignment? If you dont understand what i mean...i mean, is it hurting the pump because the work load is not being distributed and the pump is just working, so it's actually trying but not doing anything.....If you understood that. Please reply because i will disconnect the belt immedietly if it is..


thanks so much

Evan

 

PLEASE

 

If your belts and pulleys are not aligned that will not stop your power steering from working.
Unless the alignment is so bad that it throws the belt.
What you may do is cause the pump to fail prematurely because of high bearing load.

 

I think Vert misunderstood your question.

The alignment in question, and correct me if I'm wrong DC, is the wheel alignment, not belt alignment.

And no, alignment should not have any affect on PS pump load.

The problem may be the pump is already bad, no fluid in the reseviour, a bad steering rack, or electrical connection problems either at the pump, or at the Power steering "computer" under the dash. That's my .02$, I've gone manual in my case.

PaulC

 

It's possible your alignment is OK and your steering rack servo is bad (pushing to one side.) Could just be dirt in the system. To test, jack the front wheels off the ground, start the motor, turn it lock to lock, listen & feel for any roughness. Push the wheels left & right - same thing.

 

thanks guys. Yes you are correct silkworm. The wheel alignment. It says in my Manual that it could be the alignment. But i trust you guys, the chilton guy didn't even drive the car he just took it apart!

 

Since we're on the subject of steering, i have a quick question.. when i go around a corner too fast (we have wicked sharp on/off ramps here in central PA), the wheel "rocks" back and forth, (trying to think of how to describe it)... it's like it can't handle the turn, or something.. but the car takes the turn fine, just the steering wheel jerks a bit... sorry this is cryptic any ideas?

 

Yeah, go make your own thread! lol jk dude. Umm maybe your wheels are out of balance....need to be balanced. does your wheel jerk when your going fast as well? If so it's probably linked to your alignment or your wheel balancing. Try those.

Evan

 

nah, i just had the wheels balanced when i had my new ones put on ~3-5k miles ago... and the car still handles well, it does sticks to the corners like glue, it's just the steering wheel that jerks a bit.. oh, it doesn't jerk at high speeds either (well, id on't know what high is, i can only get it to about 110ish)... of course, my car shakes too much after about 80 to really tell, unless it was a distinct jerk...