2000 GT Power.steering Dead? Dying? Please help.

[JstCloseUrEyes]

I have no idea in hell what happened to my 2000 GT. I was making a u-turn, and I turned the wheels FULLY. While completing the turn, I noticed the steering was sluggish and it made a weird screeching/rubbing sound. But when I went to make a turn into a parking lot, I noticed that it was dead.

BUT...

The weird part is that it is only dead when I am NOT applying throttle, or going at very show speeds. When I am going along, it works until I brake or slowdown, then its dead again.

Also, I noticed my engine was pretty hot, but that may have just been cause I took it on a semi-long trip.

I think that maybe the throttle response may be not as...peppy...but maybe thats just my mind.

Now I really don't know what to do, I am in one hell of a bind.

I hope any of you folks knows what may be the cause.

Thanks so much.

[GTPgirl]

I'd check the power steering pump. And check to see if your PS fluid is low or leaking.

[JstCloseUrEyes]

I went out this morning and checked, no visible leak, and the fluid levels are fine.

I called the mechanic, and he got back to me just before.

He said that the problem might be in he rack, and that I am losing pressure somewhere, thus I can turn the wheels while idling, but when accelerating, the pressure is increased, thus I can turn.

I went out and bought Lucas Power Steering treatment/sealer stuff, and I will try that later. He still has to look at the car, but this Lucas stuff may not fix it

I may need to replace the rack :-(

[JstCloseUrEyes]

Well, I emptied my power steering tank as much as possible, and filled it up with the Lucas stuff I bought, and at first it did nothing...and I was pissed.

Well, I let the car sit a little, and I added a little more of that stuff after re-testing the level while the engine was hot. And when I went to move the car up on the driveway a minute ago, it seemed like the steering was a little better, but not great...

I also hear the pressure leak on the passenger side of the car....

Well, We'll see what happens, I can't even bring the car into the shop until Monday, so I guess I am stuck with this crap for now

...

I know I will have to replace the rack, and that sucks.

[GTPgirl]

Hmm...Too bad your car isn't one of the ones that fell under the recall for the rack and pinion.

[JstCloseUrEyes]

...damn...I wouldn't mind GM fixing the car for nothing.

Oh well.

That stuff I put in started to work this morning, and I took the car out two times, and all seems to go well.

I am going to have my mechanic look at it anyway on Monday, cause, with my luck I have a feeling that this nice quick fix, wont last more than a few days.