major power steering problem

shaynes302 · #1 (**permalink**) 01-16-09, 01:58 PM

I have a 1999 ETC eldorado that I had a power steering pump replaced on back in June of last year. after the pump was replaced I have had all kinds of trouble with the steering. I took the car back to the shop and they repalced the pump but it didnt take care of the problem. the problem being it is very hard to turn the wheel and the pump is making a lot of grunting sounds. after about a week of driving it around I took it back and they told me the rack needed to be replaced so I had them replaced it at a cost of over $1,000. One week after they repalced it the rack started leaking so they installed another one. to keep this short they have put 4 power steering pumps, three racks a pressure hose and god knows what else. the steering is still not right and the shop is telling me it is perfect. The car kinda shutters when turning the wheel and it still makes more noice than it should and now at certain times the steering wheel shakes from side to side. as much as I love this car I am ready to sell it. the car only has 75K on it and is in perfect shape minus the steering issue. has anybody had this problem or any advise? The steering also does not adjust for the speed you are traveling like it should. At this point I greatly need any help I can get.

chubbyranger · #2 (**permalink**) 01-16-09, 04:19 PM

An outside shot: is the serp belt slipping? A bad tensioner might cause the belt to slip on the pump pulley, increasing steering effort and causing the shudder you're experiencing. I'd expect some belt squal though if that is the case.

tateos · #3 (**permalink**) 01-16-09, 07:22 PM

Was the rack new, rebuilt, or used? My original rack did the shuddering before I replaced it with a rebuilt. That took care of the shuddering, but now it was very hard to turn at low speeds, and very easy to turn at higher speeds. It turned out the leads were reversed on the rack. I cut the wires and connected them reversed, and now the steering is fine.

I think you have received bad pumps or racks. This is fixable - you need to go to a shop that guarantees their work.

Question for others - could bad strut mounts - maybe partially seized up - cause this?

shaynes302 · #4 (**permalink**) 01-18-09, 12:41 PM

Chubbyranger is there anyway to tell if the wires are on wrong? The belt is also new and doesnt seem to be fine. The garage was Micheal tires and they sent it over to there other location and they replaced the pressure hose and said it was coming apart inhside which was blocking up the line. Now the steering seem to turn easy but it still has a small shutter to it that is noticed mostly while driving at or above about 45 mph. Any other thoughts. What would be the going rate to have a cadillac dealer look over the work that has been done to insure it was done correctly? It also sometimes is hard to turn if you try to turn the wheel fast to the left or right. Any help would be great I am ready to blow a gasket over this steering problem it has me pulling my hair out. how can I check the strut mounts?

chubbyranger · #5 (**permalink**) 01-18-09, 12:50 PM

tateos would be the guy to ask about the leads - I'm guessing his issue was the Magnasteer. You would need the FSM or other wiring diagram to check the wiring to the rack, although I'd expect the connector would be keyed so it could not be reversed. If you had a hose coming apart it may have spewed some rubber pieces into the system; perhaps a fluid flush would help. Check your power steering fluid and see if its dirty. The quick change places usually put a few drops on a piece of white plastic so you can see whether its dirty or not. A Cadillac dealer will charge you their standard hourly rate for diagnostics and may not be willing to quote a price since they don't know what the problem is, particularly if it is not setting a code. Its a crapshoot as to the skill level of the tech you get.