Power Steering

[mgmgmg]

Took the winter beater out of storage and the power steering seems kinda tight! What i mean: taking turns the wheel doesnt want to come back, i have to asst it. God i hope im explaining ok? Maybe im so used to driving my 2010 X its my imagination..... any ideas?

Thank you

What I checked

1. Belt has No cracks
2. No leaks
3. No loud sound coming from ps pump
4. I always grease the steering linkages.
5. Fluid level ok.

 

[Freaky1]

Might wanna consider flushing the ps fluid since it's easy, cheap and in general often neglected.

 

[natenkiki2004]

Usually the adjusting screw/bolt/nut on the gearbox will cause this if you adjusted it. If not, maybe run it a bit and see if it loosens up. Definitely get some new fluid in there, if nothing else with a turkey baster.

 

[mgmgmg]

Might wanna consider flushing the ps fluid since it's easy, cheap and in general often neglected.

Should i use Mercon V or what the owner guide says tranny fluid type F...I will do the turkey baster method.... or do the u tube method...


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1F4MzsTyFMo

 

[Wolfie_85]

I just use power steering fluid. If there are doubts about compatibility, read the label on the back of the bottle. If it's gotten colder there and it sat a bit, it just might need to loosen up some. Bit yeah, I agree with replacing the fluid.

 

[mgmgmg]

adjusting screw/bolt/nut on the gearbox will cause.....Where is this located? I did not know of this? I have not touched it....

thank you

 

[natenkiki2004]

I would use Type F ATF. That's what the manual calls for. I have Dex/Merc in mine and it whines more than I would like. I think Type F is coarser and not as slippery.

If you didn't mess with the adjusting nut on the gearbox, save that as a final way to adjust, try everything else first. But, it's right on the top. There's a nut that tightens a screw. The screw is what tightens/loosens the gear and the nut is what holds the screw in place. Only turn the screw 1/8" of a turn or so at once. Be sure to hold it in place while you tighten/loosen the nut.

 

[freezerlunik]

I had this exact problem. The wheel felt stiff and didn't want to straighten out coming out of a turn. It was one of the front u-joints going bad and causing stiffness. Was a reasonably cheap fix (~ $150 including labour).

DO NOT muck about with the adjusting screw on the gear box -- you are more likely to exacerbate the problem unless you are 100% certain it is the gear box.

 

[mgmgmg]

I had this exact problem. The wheel felt stiff and didn't want to straighten out coming out of a turn. It was one of the front u-joints going bad and causing stiffness. Was a reasonably cheap fix (~ $150 including labour).

DO NOT muck about with the adjusting screw on the gear box -- you are more likely to exacerbate the problem unless you are 100% certain it is the gear box.

Correct me if im wrong those u-joints dont spin unless your in 4x4 drive?

 

[mgmgmg]

I replaced about 1 pint worth of Type F and its much better.....How much does it hold?

 

[natenkiki2004]

You're right that the U-Joints don't rotate but they still flex/bend when you turn the wheel. Unless they're lubricated or spun periodically, the part of the U-Joint that doesn't move can just seize up with rust. Like all lubricated things, they need to move & distribute the lube every so often.