Power Steering Issues

I just inherited my grandmothers 96 Aurora with 35k on it. However I have had some major power steering issues. Dealer replaced power steering pump and front rack. The car still leaks fluid, the puddle is about the size of a silver dollar. It does not seem to leak every day and the wheel is some times hard to turn, espically when parking. Dealer states that the car was not driven enough and that is why I have had all of these issues. Has anyone else had these problems, or know what else could be wrong??? Thanks

First of all, I want to compliment you on your ride, I'm sure it's very nice. I've got a '96, but it's got a little over 100k on it.

I'm having the leaky power-steering problem right now, but mine is leaking a bunch! The mechanic is gonna check out the hoses. Power-steering requires quite a few hoses I think. I would be willing to bet that one of them is responsible for your leak. I would also strongly consider flushing the fluid and putting fresh fluid in there. It couldn't hurt.

I've always had the problem where the power-steering pulses rapidly on and off when you're turning the car sharply in either direction. It's really annoying, but I'm optimistic this little inspection of the power-steering might result in a complete fix of that problem.

I have an excellent mechanic. He's an expert with the Northstar and he's really honest (he rarely charges over a grand). He recently replaced all my spark plugs and all the ignition cables for only 300! (that's for parts AND labor)

It must be something with the cars and in my opinion it has to do with the exhaust dumping right under the rack... thus causing the p/s fluid to reach higher temps... The dealer replaced my pump and rack at 88,000 under an extended warranty that I puchased right before I bought the car at 87,000... Symptoms were that the car was very hard to turn at slow moving speeds... after dealer fix it worked fine up to 121,000 miles and about a year later when it started doing the same thing to me... well I didn't have the money to sink into a rack and pump.. so I got to thinking.... car would work fine when cold but when operating temp would be reached the steering was junk.... so I figured that when cold fluid thick... warmer thinner so pump must be wore out and fluid is bypassing it instead of being "pumped" through it... so I figured it couldn't hurt anything to try a heavier weight "hydraulic oil" being as all power steering is is a hydraulic system... so I got some lucas power steering fluid conditioner which is very thick, drained my old stuff, put lucas in, and whalla! it works so much better now... still isn't normal... but only b/c when I first start the car up in the mornings it's a little tight to turn but after I'm out the driveway its fine... I'll settle with $10 in fluid as apose to $1000 in power steering parts... the car is now at 127,000 miles and the steering is still working quite well... I'm sure eventually it'll give me some more problems but untill then I'm satisfied.

Dealer states that the car was not driven enough and that is why I have had all of these issues. Has anyone else had these problems, or know what else could be wrong??? Thanks

Get the dealer to put that comment in writing and then send it to GM. Ask them if their automobiles are to be driven more in order to stay in better shape? Give me a break! Show me ANYWHERE in the Aurora Owner's manual where it states the minimum number of miles that the automobile is to be operated annually. Whilst I have not read it word-for-word I will wager the answer is NO WHERE! First suggestion, find a mechanic that can give you a "real" answer and not treat you as if you're an imbecile (hopefully this mechanic is not a relative!). Let this mechanic know that you're damn proud to own this fine automobile with such extraordinary low mileage. If there are matters pertaining to age, such as dry-rot of rubber components, condensation in the fuel, etc. then get the specifics. That sounds like a horse-crap reply from the guy/gal and I would challenge them specifically and poiniently.

After I did that, I would draft a very specific letter to GM stating the situation and pointing out that no where in the Aurora Owner's manual are there instructions pertaining to care and maintenance of low mileage vehicles. I would include the dealer's proposed price for the remedy and would ask How much do they plan to compensate me for this untimely repair? Please don't tell me it's out of warranty - I know that. That does not mean that a well written correspondence will not result in some remuniration. Maybe not 100% - but some. That's always better than a sharp stick in the eye. This has worked for me in the past with automobile problems, home appliances, etc. What's the worst that can happen - you pay full price anyway...

Good Luck!