1995 q45 stiff steering

[subtle_driver]

So i am needing some help troubleshooting this.

my steering is stiff most of the time, like a worn pump or very loose belt, sometimes it frees up and feels normal for a few moments. there are no leaks, and i checked the wiring for cuts and connections visually. I am not an expert on this variable assyst steering system. Does a module control this? And how does one troujble shoot it? I disconnected the solenoid on the rack and it stays the same. I feel it might have to do with the variable assist system sticking.

Thanks!!! I want to get this fixed before the weekend, got some aggressive autocrossing to do, need light steering feel for counter-steering.

[subtle_driver]

no body had this problem before?

[OwnerCS]

Hey Man - Great vid on the other thread.

I haven't had this happen to mine but I have seen the following posts about stiff steering on variable assist.

1) Does the speedo drop to 0 when this happens? If yes, need to rule out speed sensor and/or instrument cluster.

2) If no speedometer drop, there is a pressure solenoid on the steering rack and/or loss of signal with it to check.

Search links on stiff steering.

post6214457.html?hilit=stiff%20steering#p6214457

post6004399.html?hilit=stiff%20steering#p6004399

[Q451990]

It's also worth checking to make sure the u-joint that connects the steering column to the rack isn't frozen. I had this happen on my old Q, and it would sort of loosen up with use and after the exhaust that runs right next to it would warm things up. It's pretty easy to pull and check...

Heath

[subtle_driver]

Looks like I want to bypass the steering assyst. I want it easy/full assyst all the time. How would I do that?

[Turbon8er]

post6448412.html#p6448412

he figured it out. looks pretty simple.

[mattd1979]

Just wanted to mention that I was having the same problem a few years back and found that the problem was with the power assist module under the dash. It was over heating and cutting out. We had a couple of parts Qs at the time and so I just swapped it out. I saved the other because I was going to open it up to see if there were any loose solder joints but never got around to it.

[Turbon8er]

^that is really good to know!!

[mattd1979]

Yeah, it turns out that the shop the previous owners were taking it to had ended up replacing the steering rack because they couldn't think of anything else. Needless to say it didn't fix it. They just dealt with it for a couple more years until they traded it in for an Altima at the dealership where I was working at the time.

[subtle_driver]

Thanks, I ended up doing tje same thing with my solenoid and it works great. Cept I left the valve body on the car and just removed the solenoid. I took pics. Maybe ill post if I figure out how to.

[subtle_driver]

Thanks for your help!!! I will be driving at extreme auto fest this saturday night in san diego with my q45. see you there!