sivikvtec

My PS pump on my 94 EX seized up while driving and the pulley snapped off and the belt is probably back on the highway . I pulled the debris out of the engine bay and noticed PS fluid sprayed all over the pump/reservoir...etc. So of course, no more PS. I'm going to fix it asap, but now at really slow speeds the steering wheel wiggles. Did the pump killing itself somehow damage my steering rack or other components?

AccordVT

I'm not to familiar with power steering hydraulic systems but my guess would be that your steering rack is just acting weird do to the loss of hydraulic pressure.
>Your tie-rod ends may have bad balljoints and are only evident now do to the loss of assisted steering and increased wheel to steering wheel stress.
>The steering rack mounting bushings could also be worn.
>There may be something within the rack that allows play in the steering with the absence of hydraulic pressure.
>The car may have gone out of alignment, unlikely but possible.

Just guesses, the easiest thing to do would be take a look at your tie-rod ends, make sure the rubber boot is in good condition, the castle nut is tight and the alignment lock nut is tight. oh and the lug nuts. Easy stuff first. When the pump seized and the belt broke did the car veer one way or another? Was there any severe shift in the wheel or any steering damaging shocks felt?

sivikvtec

The alignment was off before the pump blew, car would pull to the side. I dunno, its weird. The braking is all jacked up now as well, its like driving with warped rotors (steering shakes when braking) but it was fine before the pump blew. I'll get a better look at it in the daylight tomorrow.

AccordVT

Yeah if it shakes under braking and didn't before It's either something steering related (tie rods, balljoints) or something in the rack is screwed. If your getting it fixed, you'll need to buy a new pump and belt. If the rack is screwed the issue will still be there and you need to rebuild/fix rack or get a new one. Let me know how it looks down there.

sivikvtec

Well, the problem is gone. I replaced the PS pump and belt. Also one of the front tires was very low on air. However, I discovered a rip in the driver's side steering rack boot and it looked like it was leaking PS fluid. Guess i'm going to have to replace the rack.