I have a 1992 geo metro with a 3 cyl. manual transmission. I love this car to death and I just got it-though it came to me without any of the manuals. My only complaint is that it takes muscle bound he-man power to turn the wheel! I mean it takes some really serious effort. I have never owned a standard car before. I assumed that it simply needed power steering fluid so I rushed out and bought some... After popping the hood, I can't find anything that says anything about power steering.
How can I find out if my car has power steering? If it does, where the heck does the fluid go? And if not...is there anything I can do to make the wheel easier to turn? Besides lifting weights...

I hate power steering. But if one or both front tires are low, turning them with a manual steering rack is a chore. Pump those puppies up to 1 or 2 PSI above their rated pressure, and it'll probably get a lot easier.

Is there a power steering pump under the hood?? If there is, thats where the fluid goes, if it don't, you don't need any fluid.
Geo Metro is a far cry from a Cadillac. They're pretty much one of the cheapest basic puddle jumpers you can buy. I'm not sure any of them have pow. steer. I also don't remember if they made any kind of LX or "loaded" model.
TY is right though. Good tire pressure will help that rack and pinion turn fairly easy. My '95 is same thing and I never had any trouble steering. At a dead stop, it takes a good 2 handed pull sometimes but all it takes is to reach a speed of like 1/10 of a MPH(slow crawl) and it almost feels just like power.

I would be more concerned that you may have a bent tie-rod. After all, you said you just got this car, right? Do you know how well it's been taken care of or if it's been in an accident? I bent the tie-rod on my '83 Toyota Corolla and it bent the hell out of my rack&pinion steering. It was so tight, it may aswell been locked by the ignition switch.

Not sure about the 92 but it is definitely an available option on the 2000.

Not sure about the 92 but it is definitely an available option on the 2000.

Nice! I wasn't aware of that. I DID know that there were some options. I think maybe they did make some higher end models cuz I think I've seen a few with A/C and stuff. I remember they made some convertable models. My engine was an option. When we bought it, I thought it was the normal 3cyl. It wasn't until we got it home that I realized I missed that fourth plug wire when I was looking at it at the car lot. He-He!:rofl: I heard later that the 4cyl. was an option in 1995. Pretty cool. Only a few MPG less than the 3cyl. and a good trade off for the little extra power.

Nice! I wasn't aware of that. I DID know that there were some options. I think maybe they did make some higher end models cuz I think I've seen a few with A/C and stuff. I remember they made some convertable models. My engine was an option. When we bought it, I thought it was the normal 3cyl. It wasn't until we got it home that I realized I missed that fourth plug wire when I was looking at it at the car lot. He-He!:rofl: I heard later that the 4cyl. was an option in 1995. Pretty cool. Only a few MPG less than the 3cyl. and a good trade off for the little extra power.

the metro lsi , which is the sohc 4 cylinder was available in 92 i think all the way back to 89. what this is is the model sold as the swift. This model has power steering far more often. There is even a sedan lsi before 95, but its much more common after 95.
One last model type is the 4 door metro hatch. it is often 3 cyl, but often it has power steering and automatic. although its relatively rare, it more commonly has these rare features.

You dont want power steering in your 3 cyl. it will tire the hamster out.

You dont want power steering in your 3 cyl. it will tire the hamster out.
LOL!!! Ya, I was kinda thinkin that, too. Besides, like I said, even on my 4cyl, as soon as I break away from a dead stop, like snail speed, it turns quite sufficiently. Mine isn't even that hard to turn at a stop.:2cents:

4 cylinder metros didn't show up till' 1995. Every geo metro before that was a 3 cylinder. The 1.3L's were reserved for the suzuki swift up to 94. Power steering was also offered on the metro in 95', but not until then. I believe power steering and a 1.3l were options for the metro sedan(pre-95) in Canada, but not in the states.

4 cylinder metros didn't show up till' 1995. Every geo metro before that was a 3 cylinder. The 1.3L's were reserved for the suzuki swift up to 94. Power steering was also offered on the metro in 95', but not until then. I believe power steering and a 1.3l were options for the metro sedan(pre-95) in Canada, but not in the states.
this is not true. I will try to come back later and show you some data on the net, but the data is in any haynes type manual. Im pretty sure youre talking about the canadian market again and you should watch that because oh so few of the forumers are going to be from canada.. metro lsi was out before that, as well as 4 cylinder sedans. Ive seen them, I see one regularly red metro lsi, Im going to call it about a 90 because it uses the decals of the 90 metro meaning metro is spelled out in decals on the side.. Much rarer before 95, but they are out there absolutely. sohc metro hatch, 4 cyl 89-94.

oh man double false. a lady that goes to the gym has a 3 cyl, 4 door hatch with power steering and automatic. 92 240k miles. Orignal owner, not a frankenstein or anything like that. Again data in any haynes manual shows this. Im going to someday figure it out more exactly. like perhaps power steering was only in 4 doors and lsis before 95 which are cars you think dont exist.

I'd have to see power steering on a pre-95' metro before i'd believe it. Get a pic of it ;). It's not hard to add power steering from an MK4 or a sedan to a mk3 metro. It's quite possible it was added by a previous owner
http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/2167/steeringhj1.th.jpg (http://img89.imageshack.us/my.php?image=steeringhj1.jpg)
If they existed, stores would stock a new/rebuilt part for it. Also, notice when you add any 89-94 metro, only the 1.0 is available for selection in any parts manufacturers catalogs. 1.3's were available in the metro sedan as the "smaller motor", as the suzuki swift sedan was available with a 1.6 and a 16v sohc 1.6 . In other countries, you could even get it in AWD.

I'd have to see power steering on a pre-95' metro before i'd believe it. Get a pic of it ;). It's not hard to add power steering from an MK4 or a sedan to a mk3 metro. It's quite possible it was added by a previous owner
http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/2167/steeringhj1.th.jpg (http://img89.imageshack.us/my.php?image=steeringhj1.jpg)
If they existed, stores would stock a new/rebuilt part for it. Also, notice when you add any 89-94 metro, only the 1.0 is available for selection in any parts manufacturers catalogs. 1.3's were available in the metro sedan as the "smaller motor", as the suzuki swift sedan was available with a 1.6 and a 16v sohc 1.6 . In other countries, you could even get it in AWD.

oh i see I stand corrected. Im confusing what lsi stands for.

It seems that 95 and up lsi meant it had a 4 cylinder. But, 90-94 it meant almost nothing lol it was still a 3 cylinder. So the older metro I see now that says lsi, it was indeed a 3 cylinder.

Ok as far as power steering, Ive actually driven it. Ok following these facts. Auto in 90-94 is only available in lsi. hers was the 4 door hatchback I actually have found no statistics specific to that one. I'm not certain it wasnt added on but Im certain it wasnt like a diy job this is an old lady who barely knows where she is.

The difference between a regular metro and an LSi were pretty cosmetic. An LSi had a full center console, better seats, more tar strips on the floor for sound deadening, painted bumpers, wheel covers(13" wheels in the convertible), sometimes a tachometer. The automatic trans and a/c was available in all metros besides the XFi. A lot of non-LSi's a/c systems were dealer installed, not factory. The dealers had a kit that was installed by their technicians. Metros do feel like they have power steering because of the pizza cutter tires. If the steering rack was properly maintained(and the damper properly adjusted), it moves very freely. Even the swift GTi's didn't have power steering with 185/60R14's, and the steering was still light.

good info geoz.. My local yard has about 10 metros, not one is an lsi. I see a few converts running around town, but have never seen an lsi around here. I would love to stuff that dash with the tach in one of my cars.

My 94 regular, non lsi, ghetto metro has a tach

I know this is rare but it has it. Its so great I couldnt imagine driving this thing without one. Such a small power band.

Power steering on a '92 Metro! Completely superfluous! Like putting power steering on a bicycle!

If your steering wheel is hard to turn while the car is moving, I would take it to a shop and have them
check it out. Probably something broken or worn out or coroded or screwed up!


I have a '93 Metro - here it is. What model is it?

http://img364.imageshack.us/img364/6858/metrofrontview4ii.jpg

I took the TB top off last fall and haven't put it back together yet.... Too damned lazy!

Now that gasoline is $3.25 / gallon here in Spokane, I will finish it today!

DoctorBill

that would be the world famous 3 cylinder metro hatchback....

No model designation....?

LSI XPI Poopie Doopie...? Whatever?

no it would be um

geo hatchback

not an lsi or an xfi.

Cool thanks geozukigti i was wondering what lsi meant. Im glad i am one (1992 Metro lsi convertible 3 cylinder standard) and as for power steering, it is so small and light there is no need anyway, unless something is broken. I love my car though...so fun...anyone know of statistics for it other than already mentioned?

First year for power steering was 1995. (MIII)