Hi. This is my first post on a section thats not about car modeling. Please bare with me, im not much of a mechanic.
I own an 82 Cutlass (The OG ride). A little over a month ago i had some steering fluid leaking from the metal "box" where you apply the steering fluid. It was changed and my problem was solved. However, I then noticed there was power steering fluid gathering elsewhere. Since i dont know exact part names, please allow me to describe the situation. The metal "box" where you add power steering fluid has a hose that transfers the fluid to the end of a long metal piece that runs up to the dashboard and connects to the steering wheel. That metal piece where steering fluid is transfered to had some fluid gathering and i had to change it. Once it was changed I was told the steering wheel would feel hard to turn left and right, but would loosen up in time. Since i had this work done I noticed my steering wheel locked up a little.
About 2 weeks ago I was driving the car and approaching a curve. I turned the wheel slightly to take the curve and once i tried streightening it, I felt it lock/get stuck. I normaly drive with one hand but couldnt pull the steering wheel back in its straight position untill i held it with both hands and pulled it. I heard a "pop" noise behind the steering wheel, around the dashboard area. It did that to me two more times after that and would most of the time get stuck/locked lightly enough that i can pull it back with one hand. I had the steering pump fixed yesterday and drove it this morning. The problem got much worse as i noticed it locked up very tightly many times while i drove to work. On my way back home from work it locked up tight enough that pulling it with both hands wouldnt loosen the steering wheel. I found myself driving onto on coming traffic lanes and needing to stop the car completely before i entered the on coming traffic lanes. I also noticed the steering wheel would lock on me when i turned it slightly while driving in a streight line.
Does anyone know what might be the problem here? I've asked several people and they all come to the same conclussion that one of the parts i changed might be faulty, but I feel the steering wheel get stuck and am wondering if the steering fluid is even getting transfered through the steering wheel. Why else would i hear that "pop" noise in the dashboard area when i pull the steering wheel to one side to loosen it back up?
Like always, i greatly appreciate the time you guys take to read and/or answer my threads.