Can anyone help??? My daughters 95 prelude has a power steering problem after sitting for 2 years due to her tags getting yanked for an insurance lapse and tickets.
Tried to get it in the garage and it took all my strength to turn the wheel. Once up on stands the wheels turn freely in both directions. Started it up to see if there was flow back into the reservoir and the wheel went quickly to the left. Grabbed it and tried to turn back to the right and no go...
Any Clue??

 

a clog maybe?? you can always use a smaller belt to bypass the ps pulley and unhook the ps lines from the pump to see if it is a problem caused by the pressure. I am assuming that this deletion of the ps should let you turn manually..

If it still won't turn with no pressure in the lines, I would suspect the rack is bad. May just need to be flushed with some new fluid tho?? Sorry I don't know more..

 

It's almost like "anti-power steering" as if the pressure to the rack is pushing in the opposite direction that I want to turn. I will try what you suggest. Thanks

 

That's why i suggested maybe a clog. Simple physics makes me think that a clog in the right spot will make all the pressure go the other direction?? Removing the ps lines would most likely release the pressure off the rack. At the very least, it's a good experiment to help trouble shoot, even if you don't go buy a smaller belt to bypass the pump....just unhook the ps lines and release the pressure and then try to strongarm the wheel to see if it is "unlocked"....no need to crank it for this test.


I have no idea how to safely flush out the ps and lines.

 

I guess I am getting closer to trouble shooting this problem before just replacing things and find that I still have a problem.

It may be a clog, but I think more likely a stuck valve or several valves open. A clog wouldn't explain how & why with the car on jack stands, the wheels will move fairly quickly to the left on their own when I start the engine. I can stop the steering wheel from moving, but can't turn it in the other direction...