Steering binds on left turns - 2k Impala LS

[ken729]

Has anyone experienced this problem? I just had the outer and inner front left tie rod replaced and got an alignment. The steering got slightly tighter but not real bad. Car drove great. Twenty miles later the steering binds on a gradual left turn and the car goes off the road. Just missed a stone wall. With the ignition on, the steering works fine to the right- but when you turn left it stops and binds . You have to pull the steering wheel to get the wheels to move left -almost like not having power steering in one direction. Had it towed to a dealer after shop that did rod ends said its the struts. Now waiting for the bad news.

[maxwedge]

Good, when they tell you pass it on, sounds like the damaged the rack in some way!

[ken729]

Dealer just called - they found about 2 inches of the power steering cap stick broken off . They suspect that pieces of it are floating around in the rack and are blocking up the system causing the steering to lock up.

[maxwedge]

Yup small pieces could do that, and this happened how?

[ken729]

I sure would like to know how that happened so I can send them the big bill for the new rack and pump. I dont believe a power steering dipstick can break by itself in the pump reservoir. The shop that did the rod ends would have been the only place that could have reached the cap to check the fluid, It hasnt been anywhere else for repairs or maintenance for over 6 months.