2002 3.5L Power Steering Stiff Even after new pump Flush

[carbon02]

Like many GM owners I've fought with both Loose and stiff steering in GM's variable assist power steering systems.

The 2002 was always nice and easy and smooth, about 8 months ago it became very stiff. Equally stiff in both directions so I didn't think it was a rack issue, I was thinking more like a pump.

I flushed about 2 quarts of power steering fluid through the system using a Mityvac fluid extractor (Essentially a power operated turkey baster. I got a good deal on it.) This cleaned up the old fluid and it remained clean, but steering was still stiff, so I replaced the pump. This is the 3.5L not the 3.8.

After the new pump steering seems a little better at low speeds, but at high speeds the car is really stiff. Straight as an arrow, smooth, but takes a lot of effort. Some people have installed performance sway bars.. Well with this steering you couldn't ask for any tighter, but long drives are hard as it takes a good effort to turn the wheel.

I'm thinking it's something in the Magnasteer, which is controlled by the Brake control module. There's three settings for variable assist steering. Soft, Standard, and Firm.. It seems like mine went to Firm. I'd like to allow more hydraulic assist, but I don't have a Tech II scanner to make these changes so I've kept driving it.

Suggestions?

I did lube the Intermediate Steering Shaft from the inside of the car again last night, that hasn't really changed much, but I thought it's due, as I've done this a few times throughout 10 years with Intrigues. Google ISS Lube for GM cars or Impala's and you'll find discussions on how that's done.

Any thoughts from other intrigues out there? How do I get the steering system to go into it's failsafe mode of 100% hydraulic assist?

[cougar214]

Thanks for the new thread carbon. Like yours my steering is stiff in both directions so as you say it doesn't seem to be a rack issue. One thing I didn't do was clean all the wheel sensors for the abs system. Do you think that would help?

[carbon02]

It's possible that it could, as the speed sensors are one of the inputs to the variable assist steering. I also thought about cleaning the electrical connector to the brake control module. However I thought that if these were the issue I'd have potentially wheel speed sensor codes in the brake module, and I don't.

Greasing the steering shaft may have helped the steering overall, but didn't allow me to get rid of the stiff steering at higher speeds.

If you find anything please post, and I'll do the same.

[cougar214]

O'k carbon. I haven't found anything yet on the net and I haven't gotten around to cleaning the ABS sensors but I did grease up the ISS. The interesting thing is there wasn't a rubber boot in the end of the shaft. That tells me it has been replaced or serviced before I got the car.

I filled it up with white lithium grease and I'll let ya know how well it works on the steering feel. I once again, just to be sure, bled the rack to get out any air I might have missed. So far the steering still feels the same. If anyone else is having this trouble or had it and got it fixed please do tell.