I have had a lot of work done to my Lude recently and the power steering seems to function differently each time I get it back from the shop. Before the clutch job the P/S was tight. After the clutch job the P/S was looser. After the engine swap, I could rotate the steering wheel with one finger. After I had the clutch slave cylinder replaced the P/S was back to tight but I could feel something giving through the steering wheel when I turn hard left or right.

I increased the tension on the P/S belt and the system operates like I think it should. However, I still feel something giving in the rack when I rotate hard left or right; it is just more subtle with a higher system pressure. Did my rack go bad during these recent overhauls? Have any suggestions to try before replacing the rack?

 

What do you mean by "something giving"?

The clutch system has nothing to do with power steering, you should check the fluid level and make sure the tires are aired up to what they should be.

 

play in the outer tie rods? I have a similar issue I hear something when cornering hard. i am pretty sure I need to replace tie rod ends. It's possible to DIY just gotta make sure how far the tie rod is screwed in. Probably can find the DIY somewhere on here

 

I can't feel any play in the tie rods. By something giving I mean....

Turn the wheel 3/4 of the way to the right or left and you can feel resistance in the steering wheel. Go past this resistance point and the steering wheel suddenly gets easier to turn. There is no noise but you can feel something give through the steering wheel at these resistance points. That's the best I can describe it.

 

Consider that the road your car is sitting on will also affect steering wheel feel. Like gravel will be easy to turn on while a smooth road will most like be stickier on your tires....and then everything in between.

 

i have a 97 rack and pinion if your need it...

 

I have a 4th gen Lude, so a 97' rack isn't going to help. Thanks anyway.

The problem happens regardless of the terrain. If I sit in my driveway and turn the wheel all the way left or right I feel the pop in the steering wheel. I can hear the problem now. It is a subtle noise but you can certainly feel it in the steering wheel. Tomorrow I will jack up the car and see if anything has come loose since the last time I checked. I am becoming more confident that the rack is to blame but until I have the money to replace it I must continue to researching. Has anyone had a rack go bad? What are the symptoms? I would think if the rack was going out there fluid would be leaking which isn't the case. What are the early symptoms of rack failure?