'96 Riviera steering problem

[96rivman89]

I have been having some trouble with power steering in my Riv recently, when my RPM are lower than about 1200, the steering wheel feels like there is no power steering fluid (which is full), but then when I tap the gas, it comes back right away. It is on and off in it's severity, at one time I could barely make it around turns if I was not accelerating.

Like I said, I checked the power steering fluid, which is just at the full line. Could this somehow be happening because air is in my brake lines? I recently had to have the cylinders drained due to water and coolent leaking in through the intake manifold (which has been replaced), due to the EGR valve getting stuck in the open position.

Is it possible that some coolent/water could have somehow worked it's way into brake lines? Or do you think it is the pump itself? Whatever it is, my engine was brought back from the brink of death, so I am playing everything very safe, and being extra nice to mah Riv.

Thanks in advance

[trapped]

I've had a once-per-driving-cycle groan, with lowered boost, in my '97 since I bought it at 69,000. It hasn't gotten worse, but in looking at the service bulletins I found one describing the problem and telling the shop to install new part # hoses of all things... No special bleeding procedures or fluids, or anything like that.

I only mention it because you mentioned the intake manifold job. If they had to unbolt the steering pump during the procedure, the movement could have made an internal hose restriction worse... Check with your mechanic to see if they did disturb the hoses, and if he has AllData or something like that he can check on the TSB's, too (Technical Service Bulletins.)

Mark

[HotZ28]

Originally Posted by 96rivman89

Like I said, I checked the power steering fluid, which is just at the full line. Could this somehow be happening because air is in my brake lines?

The brake lines have nothing to do with power steering!

Originally Posted by 96rivman89

Is it possible that some coolent/water could have somehow worked it's way into brake lines? Or do you think it is the pump itself?

No to the first question and YES to the second.

[96rivman89]

Yeah, I was definitly not thinking when I wrote that, usually I write decent questions, not asking about brake lines when I am talking power steering.

At any rate, at this point it is time to mention brake lines, seeing as the wrning light for my ABS braking system comes on now. Occasionally the pedal feels as if the lines are clogged, so I'll be replacing those tomorrow.

As to the power steering, I checked with my '91 300zx friend and '86 Caddy friend, and we have come to the concensus that the belt needs to be tightened. So, this weekend the Riv gets put on jacks, and I change the oil, replace the brake lines, tighten the power steering belt, replace the brake fluid (and yes, I do mean brake fluid), and finally repair the slight burn damage to the cloth parts of the interior. It's gonna be a fun weekend!!

Hooray for the previous owner not caring one bit about the car. He=fail.

Mark "That guy with the Riv" (1 of 5 total in Lynchburg, VA )

[HotZ28]

Originally Posted by 96rivman89

Yeah, I was definitly not thinking when I wrote that, usually I write decent questions, not asking about brake lines when I am talking power steering.

As to the power steering, I checked with my '91 300zx friend and '86 Caddy friend, and we have come to the concensus that the belt needs to be tightened.
Mark "That guy with the Riv" (1 of 5 total in Lynchburg, VA )

Sorry, but are getting unknowledgeable advice from your “friends”! The Rivera uses a serpentine belt with an automatic spring loaded belt tensioner. There is not an adjustment available, needed or required with this type of system. If your belt is worn, or stretched to the point that the tensioner will not apply adequate tension to the belt, then yes, you should replace the belt. In addition, the tensioner spring pressure and free movement of the tensioner should be confirmed. Your problem is the PS pump, not the belt slipping. Been there, done that!

So, this weekend the Riv gets put on jacks, and I change the oil, replace the brake lines.

I hope you are talking about the rubber lines going to the calipers. Have you removed the calipers and lubricated the "floating pins" so the caliper is not binding? Do not compress the caliper without opening the bleed screw, otherwise you will be replacing the mastercylinder within 6-months! Have a nice weekend!

[96rivman89]

Thanks for the advice, yeah my friends are not Riv people, so thank for the advice.

I am indeed talking about the rubber tubing running to the calipers, I like to call them "Brake Lines". At any rate, I am replacing the lines and pads, It's not hard, we do it pretty much every two weeks on varius people cars, so we should be good. 'Preciate it.