Heavy steering wheel

[soch]

Since I bought my Impala 2000, it had a heavy steering wheel.

The dealers never accepted that turning the wheel was hard, untill the warranty expired. Then they said it will cost me around $1K to make the change.

Does anyone else have an Impala which has a heavy steering wheel? At low speeds the wheel is supposed to be light & at higher speeds it is supposed to be heavy. Mine is always heavy.

[ysteve]

Maybe your pump is bad. On mine i did only lube the steering shaft. You can try to check the pipes(maybe they damaged). I never heard about this before, only about common problem(steering shaft noise). Give me some time i am gonna check ALLDATA, probably they have something on you.

[ysteve]

Flushing the Power Steering System
FLUSHING THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM

IMPORTANT: Do not reuse any drained power steering fluid regardless of appearance or condition.

1. Turn off the engine.
2. Raise the front end of the vehicle off the ground until the tires and wheels turn freely. Refer to Vehicle Lifting.
3. Place a large container under the fluid return hose in order to collect the draining fluid.
4. Remove the fluid return hose at the power steering pump reservoir inlet connection.
5. Plug the reservoir return hose inlet connection on the power steering pump.
6. Run the engine at idle while an assistant maintains the fluid level at FULL COLD in the reservoir using new approved power steering fluid. IMPORTANT:

• • This step may require 4 L (4 qt) of power steering fluid until the draining fluid appears clear.
  • Do not run the engine without the power steering fluid level at FULL COLD.

1. Turn off the engine.
2. Turn the steering wheel fully to the left and to the right.
3. Remove the plug from the pump reservoir inlet connection.
4. Install the fluid return hose to the pump reservoir.
5. Maintain the fluid level at FULL COLD.
6. Operate the engine at idle for approximately 15 minutes.
7. Repeat steps 3-5.
8. Inspect the power steering fluid for the following indications of contamination:

• • Milky fluid - water
  • Brown fluid - burnt
  • Plastic debris or dirt chunks

1. If the fluid is contaminated, repeat steps 6-12 in order to complete a third flush.
2. Remove the plug from the pump reservoir inlet connection.
3. Install the fluid return hose to the pump reservoir.
4. Clean any spilled fluid.
5. Bleed the power steering system. Refer to Bleeding the Power Steering System

[ysteve]

Steering - Reduced Power Assist/High Steering Effort
Bulletin No.: 03-02-35-004
Date: August 29, 2003
TECHNICAL
Subject:
Reduced Power Steering Assist, Excessive Steering Effort, Rubbing, Excessive Noise In Passenger Compartment (Reinstall/Replace Intermediate Shaft Lower Boot)
Models:
2003 Buick Century, Regal
2003 Chevrolet Impala, Monte Carlo
Condition
Some customers may comment on reduced power steering, excessive steering effort, rubbing or excessive noise in the passenger compartment.
Cause
The intermediate shaft lower boot between the bulk head and the steering gear may be incorrectly installed and interfering with the intermediate shaft.
Correction
Follow the diagnosis and service procedure below to correct this condition.
1.Lift the front wheels off the ground. Raise and support the vehicle.
2.With the ignition switch on and the engine off, have an assistant turn the steering wheel from right to left.
3.Grasp the intermediate shaft boot with either hand and while the steering wheel is being rotated, there should be no contact felt between the intermediate shaft boot and the intermediate shaft.
^If no contact is felt but there is still a steering concern, refer to Symptoms - Steering Wheel and Column.
^If contact is felt, inspect the lower intermediate shaft boot for proper installation and damage.
^If the boot is improperly installed with no damage to the boot, correctly reposition the boot.
^If the boot is improperly installed and damaged, continue with the next step.
Note: The front wheels of the vehicle must be maintained in the straight ahead position and the steering column must be in the LOCK position before disconnecting the steering column or intermediate shaft. Failure to follow these procedures will cause improper alignment of some components during installation and result in damage to the SIR coil assembly.
4.Turn the ignition OFF and remove the key from the ignition lock cylinder in order to lock the steering column.
5.Raise the vehicle.
6.Remove the left front tire.
7.Position the boot in order to provide access to the lower pinch bolt on the intermediate steering shaft.
8.Remove the lower pinch bolt from the power steering gear stub shaft.
9.Remove the intermediate steering shaft from the power steering gear stub shaft.
10.Slide the damaged lower boot out of the upper boot and off the intermediate shaft.
11.Install the new lower intermediate shaft boot into the upper boot. Refer to the parts chart below.
12.Position the intermediate steering shaft into place.
Important: Make sure the intermediate shaft is correctly sealed on the steering gear stub shaft before installing the pinch bolt.
13.Install the lower pinch bolt to the intermediate steering shaft at the steering gear.
Tighten
Tighten the pinch bolt to 48 N.m (35 lb ft).
14.Install the lower boot onto the steering gear.
15.Reinspect to make sure the intermediate shaft is not contacting the boot.
16.Reinstall the left front tire.
17.Lower the vehicle.
18.Road test the vehicle.

[ysteve]

This is all what i can find for now.

[soch]

Thanks Steve for the info.

Can a Bulletin be used to ask the dealer to perform the check & repair free of cost after warranty expires?

[ysteve]

This info from ALLDATADIY. so last 3 words mean DO IT YOURSELF. Dealer gonna charge you, for now try to do yourself. if you cant do then try dealer. I saw somewhere in the past forums similar problem. Just take your time and take a look.

[Gems]

I had "heavy" or "stiff" steering about a year ago on my '01 Impala LS... It was the power steering pump starting to fail... As it got worse the pump began to make a pretty nasty noise while turning at low speeds... I had the pump replaced and no troubles since... Fortunately I have the GM Major Guard protection plan with $0 deductible, so it cost me nothing except time at the dealer...