Car Troubles

[rhineholt]

I'll make this short.
I have a 97 oldsmobile cutlass supreme. Starting today, I noticed that it was very hard to turn. Like, to the point where I was really straining myself to turn the steering wheel.
When I was going straight, its fine obviously.
I just really don't know what it could be.
It's cold and snowy here if that makes a difference.

One weird thing is that it goes away for a bit then comes back...

Any ideas?

[Amn_sinclair]

alright. are you having trouble turning while your going at a little bit of speed? like is turning the wheel easier the faster you go? also is there a weird noise when you turn? i dont know how to describe the noise. but it sounds like its under the hood?

[rhineholt]

I wasn't going very fast, but it does seem to let up a little bit when I go faster, but it's still really tough.
I don't hear any noises.

[Amn_sinclair]

ok just an initial idea. if there is no noise at all then your power steering pump have crapped out on you. just in the sake of saving money though i would suggest checking your power steering fluid and topping it off. then get the front end of the car jacked up so the front tires are off the ground and turn the wheel. i would do this to try and get any air bubbles out of your power steering lines and hopefully fix your problem... i did all this to a 1997 dodge grand caravan about 2 years ago.

[TheScotsman]

Worst case-Power steering pump failed. It could be a rack, but chances of that are so rare. Assuming you have the serpentine belt, but W/O knowing engine it's impossible to guess. If you have V belts, be sure it's still there! Check fluid, Low will make the system intermittent... and burn up the pump. ATF will work in the PS fine.

[JOE]

probly power steering pump. check fluid, listen for noises when you turn the wheel full lock while sitting still

[vitza]

i agree, power steering pump either went poop or your low on fluid...

[Stuie]

Well I agree it's the Power Steering. Question, does your AC still work? Is Your Battery Seem to have trouble? Is your car running hot? If it's yes to any of those it might be your Alternator Belt. My old suburban did that. Belt snapped.... let's just say i though i was going to die without power steering on that thing.

[rhineholt]

[quote name='vitza' date='08 January 2010 - 09:07 PM' timestamp='1263006446' post='444069']
i agree, power steering pump either went poop or your low on fluid...
[/quote]
I'm not low on fluid. I'm actully kinda high... But that's never made a difference before.

[quote name='Stuie' date='08 January 2010 - 10:19 PM' timestamp='1263010773' post='444083']
Well I agree it's the Power Steering. Question, does your AC still work? Is Your Battery Seem to have trouble? Is your car running hot? If it's yes to any of those it might be your Alternator Belt. My old suburban did that. Belt snapped.... let's just say i though i was going to die without power steering on that thing.
[/quote]

I actually haven't checked my AC, mostly because it hasn't gotten above freezing here for a while and it's just gonna get colder.

I don't think it's my Alternator belt though. I just had all the belts changed when i got the car a few months ago.

And same here Stuie, life without power steering sucks...

[vitza]

[quote name='rhineholt' date='08 January 2010 - 09:02 PM' timestamp='1263013330' post='444088']
[quote name='vitza' date='08 January 2010 - 09:07 PM' timestamp='1263006446' post='444069']
i agree, power steering pump either went poop or your low on fluid...
[/quote]
I'm not low on fluid. I'm actully kinda high... But that's never made a difference before.
[/quote]

then the problem's the pump... check www.rockauto.com, i usually get all my parts through there, great prices and decent quality

*edit*
dont get the pump changed though until someone actually checks the car and finds the culprit Edited January 9, 2010 by vitza