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Steering - "sticky' in long turns, but works fine when stopped 850 1994

posted by  gmcpheeters on  Fri Apr 19 16:29 CST 2013
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last visit: Sat Apr 19 00:15 CST 2014
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It's a 94 850 - I just picked it up, 164k. Runs great but on freeway ramps or curving roads, the steering feels . . . for lack of a better term . . . "sticky" like it is stuck and doesn't want to move, as you are sustaining the turn. This is a new one for me. The steering works great when stopped or just driving around town, but is really hard to manage on these sustained turns at speed. It appears to have plenty of steering fluid in it, I've not dug very deep yet what should I be looking for? Seems like there are about two things that could be casing the problem - the pump or the rack - unless there are other components I don't know about . . . Anyone been through this?








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    Steering - "sticky' in long turns, but works fine when stopped 850 1994

    posted by  KlausC on  Sat Apr 20 11:00 CST 2013
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    last visit: Fri Oct 24 10:15 CST 2014
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    I will agree with Walker that it sounds more suspension related than rack. Control arm bushings could be at fault. The 850 cars had very light power steering as you probably are aware, so any suspension problems that get transmitted to the steering wheel are masked.

    When in doubt, ask a reputable alignment shop to take a look.

    Replacing the rack is not a fun job, about 8 hours of shop time (4 for someone who knows what he is doing). New subframe bolts, etc.







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    Steering - "sticky' in long turns, but works fine when stopped 850 1994

    posted by  jwalker on  Sat Apr 20 06:08 CST 2013
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    Don't think it is the pump.

    Could be the rack, but first I would try lubing the lower steering shaft u-joint. That joint is located just above the steering rack rear of the exhaust manifold. Spray it with lithium grease or similar when parked and slowly turn the wheel lock to lock for a few minutes spraying as you go along.

    --
    95 855 GLT Sportwagon 222k, 90 244 DL 300k+ - after 11 years has a new home








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      Steering - "sticky' in long turns, but works fine when stopped 850 1994

      posted by  gmcpheeters on  Sat Apr 20 09:56 CST 2013
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      last visit: Sat Apr 19 00:15 CST 2014
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      Let me try to describe this another way - the steering kind of "pulses" in sustained turns at speed. I fired up the car and tried to gently turn the wheel, without actually doing so, and it did the same thing, it "pushes back" into the steering wheel in pulses, feels like it turns then backs off, every second or so.

      Steering fluid is a tiny bit low so I'll top that off, I didn't think it was when I looked before. I'll lube the point you mentioned. If it is the rack, so i need to lower the subrame to get it out of there? Guessing I do.







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        Steering - "sticky' in long turns, but works fine when stopped 850 1994

        posted by  jwalker on  Sat Apr 20 10:18 CST 2013
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        last visit: Fri Jun 6 08:39 CST 2014
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        Not sure what the pulsing is all about. If it sticks or feels like it's locking up while steering it is most likely the steering shaft u-joint or the rack.

        Have you checked your front end and strut parts yet? Bad ball joints (control arms in these cars) can "pulse" or feel something like warped rotors. If it were me I'd also check the tie rods, steering knuckles, struts and strut mounts etc.

        If the problem seems to be the pump you could try flushing the fluid and replacing it with synthetic PS fluid. Doing this stopped leaky rack seals in my 855. I used Mobil 1 ATF.

        --
        95 855 GLT Sportwagon 222k, 90 244 DL 300k+ - after 11 years has a new home







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