Steering Problem Please HELP!

vsiev · #1 10-19-2003, 05:43 PM

Hi, I have a steering problem with my 240sx. When I am driving, the wheel won't turn back for me I would have to manual move it back; like when I make a right turn, I would have to turn the wheel back to the left. It doesn't correct itself automatically and that is my problem. I am able to turn the wheel with ease with one hand. Just when I drive, the steering wheel won't turn back on its own. I am curious what the problem might be. My friend said it might be the steering rack but he is not sure. Please help I am hoping it is the power steering pump or something that can be easily replaced and fixed. Thanks for your time.

Vinty

stealthj · #2 10-19-2003, 05:48 PM

just the rubber thing i forgot what its called dosent cost too much

vsiev · #3 10-19-2003, 07:19 PM

Are you talking about the bellows? I hear that if I have to fix the steering rack or work on it I would have to remove the engine to do so and fix it.....is this true or can I work underneath the car? I had a mechanic look at it and they said I had to replace the tie rod, tie rod rack, rack and pinion, bellows, and all this other stuff....I would personally like to fix it myself if I can but I don't know if I have to remove the motor. Also if anyone knows how to fix these parts please let me know. Thanks for your help and replies.

Vinty

spitz7985 · #4 10-19-2003, 07:36 PM

you don't need to take out your engine. i highly recommend buying a Factory Service Manual (FSM). i got mine off of ebay for like $70.

first things first, jack up the car, put it on stands, and inspect everything. lock the steering wheel (when the key is not in the ignition, turn the steering wheel and it should lock). grab the wheel and try to wiggle it back and forth. if there is any play in it, your tie rods are bad. if they are, it is an easy replacement. you just have to figure out which ones exactly are loose (inner or outer). if you are able to wiggle the wheel, and want details on this, let me know.
it will be easy to see if your dust boots are bad. just look for any major tears.
if your steering rack is bad, most likely it will be dripping. check under your car in the morning for red fluid. also, when you're under the car, poke at the dust boot near the rack. if fluid comes out, you have a problem. i haven't replaced my steering rack, but i need to soon. it doens't look that hard at all.

vsiev · #5 10-19-2003, 08:37 PM

Thanks for the reply. I jacked up my car and tried to lock the wheel and I don't know if i did it right. I was able to move the steering wheel if i force it. I don't think i locked the wheel. Also, the boots i think are the plastic squeezable thing right....which i think is the bellow....well it is tore all around and is not attached to the rack i think. I will go and get the fsm like you stated which is a good idea. I don't think there is any leaks except when i use ac and water drips. I have the car for about a week and I haven't seen any fluids in the driveway. I am not sure what tie rods I should get but the mechanic states that I need two tie rods to be replaced. This is what he put on my diagnostic "power steering fluid resevor too full, caused loss of steering assist and around pistons leaking. Requires replacement of rack, 2 inner tie rod ends, 2 bellows boots." The gave me an estimate which came out to $827.72 which I don't have and would like to do the work myself. They gave me a list of parts which are:

2 tie rod end, ev169 $97.98
1 alignment, ap all wheel 59.99
2 install, tie rod rack 135.98
1 r&p unit (rack and pinion) 203.99
2 bellows kit 108.02
1 install, frame rack mount 189.99

Thanks for your time and help, I really appreciate it know that I know I can do the work myself because I don't have to take out the engine. Thanks again

Vinty

spitz7985 · #6 10-19-2003, 10:08 PM

ok.
you don't need to lock the steering wheel to test the tie rods. when it is locked, you will be able to unlock it.
jack the front up, put a hand on each side of the tire ( 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock if the tire were a clock) and try and wiggle it back and forth. there should be no play in it, it should not wiggle at all.

your power steering resevior is located on the drivers side of the engine. it is a black, cylinder shape with a cap. when you twist the cap off, there is a small dip-stick with a foam floater on it. wipe off the dip stick, put it back in, twist it, untwist it, and then check the dip stick. it will be hard to read, you just have to get the light right and you can see. if the fluid level is too high, you can either use a turkey baster to suck some of it out, or stick a rag in there to absorb some of it until it is at the right level.

personally, from what you've told me, i do not think your rack is bad.

yes, the bellow is the same thing as the boot i mentioned. an inner tie rod, i believe, is like $35.00/ea from advance auto parts or autozone. you will need an alignment done by a shop after you do the tie rods.

if you have some play in the wheel, let me know and i'll detail the install for you. also, let me know if your resevior is too full.

vsiev · #7 10-20-2003, 03:38 PM

Well I checked for a black cylinder on the driver side and all I found was the brake fluid. On the passenger side is a gold/brown container with a dip stick on the lid that states hot/cold. I am assuming that is my power steering.(I have a 1990 240sx coupe with a ka24e engine) I checked the fluid and I believe it is at a good level or not over, it doesn't state where the max line should be and stuff....I haven't been able to check the tie rod with the wheel test but I will now get back with you on that. So I am not sure what is wrong still. Thanks for the help. Any more advice and suggestions welcome. I might have to go and replace the rack it seems......if so, does anyone know where i can get a cheap one. Thanks

Vinty

spitz7985 · #8 10-21-2003, 12:46 AM

i have a DOHC, so my engine bay is obviously arranged differently. my bad, i should have asked what year your car was before i started telling you where things are.

o well

as i said, i don't see any symptoms of a bad steering rack, from what you have described. check out the tie rods before you replace the rack. here's a good site for oem replacement parts- www.alloemautoparts.com

vsiev · #9 10-22-2003, 07:26 PM

Well I found a used rack with the bellow and tie rod for 60 bucks....I am going to replace it and hopefully that will solve my problem. I don't have any power assist and I am assuming it is the rack. My tie rods are fine and they don't shake....I tested them out like how u said and I was able to lock the wheel too. I lowered the resevor(which I still dont' know how to measure that...only gives me a hot cold dipstick and a filter inside. I hope that my power steering pump works which I believe since I can turn the wheel with one hand. I am curious if you can send me a pic or a something to show me the layout of the rack. I looked under there and it looks like I just have to unbolt like 5-7 screws and just replace the rack.....can you tell me if that is correct...thanks for your help. Also, if you know how to fix the cruise control please let me know. Thanks again

Vinty

stray · #10 10-23-2003, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vsiev

I don't have any power assist and I am assuming it is the rack
Vinty

Quote:

Originally Posted by vsiev

I hope that my power steering pump works which I believe since I can turn the wheel with one hand.Vinty

no power assist... but u have a power steering pump?

spitz7985 · #11 10-23-2003, 04:21 PM

it doesn't look like a hard install. you have to unbolt the steering column, PS lines, and detach the outer tie rod ends on each of the wheels. when you twist off the outer tie rod ends, count how many revolutions it takes so when you screw them back on, you can get the same alignment you had. after you do this, you will need to take it to get a computerized alignment at a shop, but counting the revolutions will get it driveable.

get a factory service manual. it will become invaluble to you. overall, the rack replacement probly wont be that hard. i'm guessing the PS fluid will shoot all over when you detach the lines, just to warn you. i have a FSM and when i get home, i'll take a look at it and let you know if there's anything else.

vsiev · #12 10-23-2003, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stray

no power assist... but u have a power steering pump?

Well I don't really know what power assist was...I thought it was when the wheel gets turned back for you.....the mechanic wrote power assist....I have power steering when i am idle like I can turn the wheel with one hand....now when I drive, it is kinda stiff when i turn, but the problem is say I turn the wheel a little to the left, it wont' straighten itself automatically....I would have to turn it or I might run into something.....now that is what I thought power assist was which was to automatically correct itself for me...since power assist, now I am assuming, is really the power steering where I can turn the wheel one handed. Hope this clears it up....and yes I am a newbie...

Thanks
Vinty

vsiev · #13 10-24-2003, 08:42 PM

I think I would also have to take out the crossmember which my friend says( and I dont' know what the crossmember is) and then unbolt the clamp or whatever that is holding the rack in place. Other than that, I am hoping it will be easy. Any quick advice?....the unbolting of the tie rod and counting was something i didn't think of....Thanks for the advice. Hopefully I will get my rack in soon and be able to work on it and hopefully it will be fixed. Thanks again

Vinty

spitz7985 · #14 10-25-2003, 02:31 AM

you dont have to drop the crossmember. and believe me, you dont want to. it is VERY hard to do.

krazibimmer · #15 10-25-2003, 04:10 AM

are your car lower? maybe you just need to get your car an alignment. your caster angle maybe off that why the wheel won't return after you make a turn.

POST REPLY TO THIS THREAD