'91 Q45- Power Steering Problems

[blakester3]

Recently my Q45 has been getting increasingly harder to steer.This started with random difficulty such as starting in the morning ,it would be hard to turn the wheel but loosened up after warming up.Now it is very hard to steer(almost like there is no power steering) and needs to be dealt with.all the belts and fluids are fine...Any body know what causes this and how to fix...thanks..blake

[DAEDALUS]

Maybe the PS solenoid has gone out?

[MyWebcenter_net]

Hi Blakester3,

I too have a '91 Q45 with the exact same Power steering Problem and I have search the web and read the phonebook-like service manual and have concluded that it is the speed sensitive steering module that is failing in my car. There is a detail diagnostic procedure in the manual which can be done with a decent multimeter, but I have not yet done it. If this is the faulty component, it is easily replaced from under the dash...(don't know the cost of the part yet). I intent to followup with this soon as it is much nicer to have the power steering working than not. From what I have read, when this power steering speed sensor module fails, it simply defaults to the lowest level of power steering like when your driving at highway speeds, the car will lessen the power assist greatly.

[Q451990]

Q1 had a problem exactly as you describled. It turned out to be the u-joint that connects the input on the p/s rack and the steering column. Not a common issue, but it happened to me and a couple of others. It's easy to check. Just remove the two bolts and push it up on the steering shaft to disengage from the p/s rack. My thought on why it would typically loosen up after a while was that the pre-cat is in close proximity and the ambient temp. there is probably high enough to get a little movement. Mine was completely locked with about 2mm play.

Heath

[blakester3]

Just wanted to take a few moments and thank everybody who replied to my post..Both your suggestions are well taken..Kudos to you all...Blake

[TAI CHI MASTER]

Had the same problem, was driving me crazy. I flush the system and put MMO in; some use Mobil 1. MMO has to be changed out more offten because it breaks down faster then Mobil one Regular powersteering fluid sucks in a Q45 I tried it and it made things worst. I turn car off and lock steering wheel from end to end about ten times then made sure wheel was center before starting it. What did they do before power steering by the time I was done it felt like I had been working out at the gym; but it fix the problem.

[maxnix]

Actually, according to Texas Oil, you need no more than about 4 0z. of MMO with M1 ATF. MMO will not last long in high stress urban driving which really taxes and heats the PS fluid.

The MMO serves as a seal conditoner for the O rings, just like the Conditioner BG uses in their PS replacement scheme, also using synthetic fluid.

[TAI CHI MASTER]

Thanks for the input on the power steering, I'll take out the MMO and Mobil 1 ATF.

[maxnix]

This might be one time to use the turkey baster method if the MMO has not been in too long. Just extract from the resevoir and replace with M1 ATF. Probably have a little too much MMO, but change fluid annually.

The BG conditioner is available separately.

[hawk]

need fuel pump removal info on 1991 infinti q 45

[96Qowner]

Here's the definitive fuel pump replacement thread, including detailed instructions from the amazing, and sorely missed, tangalora:

zer...age=1

[joe06mu]

i have a similar prob. it is caused by a leakage on the high pressure hose taking the fluid to the pump...so the pump cant send fluid anywhere. replace the hose.

[drftard]

how bout a power steering pump replacement! *just a thought

[dbutler249]

So recently the power steering in my Q45 has been acting up pretty badly.I would have to crank the steering wheel every once in a while, but would loosen up after the car was warmed up. Then the belt started to scream at me when the car was cold as well. Now it screams at me like a banshee - mainly when I'm turning the wheels and the steering wheel is getting harder and harder to turn - again, mainly when cranking it for U turns and such.It has plenty of steering fluid in it.I'm going to replace the PS belt in the next couple of days, but from the look and feel of it - that might not fix the entire problem.Any advice for me is appreciated.Thanks guy's

[maxnix]

Sounds like you are at least a couple weeeks too late.

Check the pulleys and replace any that are not perfectly silent and smooth unloaded.

Replace all belts at once unless you wnat to do this again 2 more times soon!

Preventative maintenance vs. deferred to failure maintenance.
Modified by maxnix at 5:46 PM 3/26/2009

[dbutler249]

Sounds like you are at least a couple weeeks too late.

Check the pulleys and repalce any that are not perfectly silent and smooth unloaded.

Replace all belts at once unless you wnat to do this again 2 more times soon!

Preventative maintenance vs. deferred to failure maintenance.

Well, darn...is this an easy fix to do myself and how's the pricing on pulleys and other parts I might need? I'm new to the Q...

[countrychick]

Hey I have a 1992 Q45. It has power steering problems. What is MMO and BG?

ThanksCountry Chick

[Infinitiguy19]

MMO is Mobil Motor Oil

BG is a company that make a line of products for nearly every part of the drivetrain and more: http://www.bgprod.com/home.html

Have you installed metal chain guides in your Q45?

Welcome to NICO.

[maxnix]

MMO is Mobil Motor Oil

Beware of newbies spouting inaccurate information!

MMO = Marvel Mystery Oil, a very light distillate.

http://www.marvelmysteryoil.com/

BG makes a PS fluid conditoner among its many products. Good to use with a synthetic fluid like M1. (Here, the M = Mobil)

[Infinitiguy19]

Marvel Mystery Oil, Is complete crap I know form my fathers experince with it. He followed the directions to the letter and still had a main bearing go on a perfectly good motor.

And some like me would think "MMO" is Mobile Motor Oil, because who puts Marvel Mystery Oil in any part of there vehicle.

Point is Marvel Mystery Oil should be discontined because of being one of the worst products on the market today next to K/N filters, Fram oil filters and fuel saving crap.

[maxnix]

Marvel Mystery Oil, Is complete crap I know form my fathers experince with it. He followed the directions to the letter and still had a main bearing go on a perfectly good motor.

Your father is obvioiusly not TexasOil and doesn't undertand that MMO is a very light distillate machine oil and not made for crankcase conditions. Any product used inappropriately may fail.

Better quit before you dig a deeper hole.

[Infinitiguy19]

http://www.marvelmysteryoil.co...ngine

Its OK your not a complete fool.

[maxnix]

Its OK your not a complete fool.

You mean this one, Bozo?

"Can I use MMO to replace all of my regular engine oil?No, you cannot use MMO to replace all the oil in the crankcase. "

I also know what a light distillate oil is and how it should be used. I also know how to contract the words "you" and "are"!

I understand cause and effect and pre-existing conditions. The apple doesn't fall to far from the tree, I see.

You're getting deeper!

Far better to be stupid like me than smart like your clan.

[Infinitiguy19]

Hey I know that you probably have nothing better to do than argue on the internet, And hell I like a good argument once in a while too.

BUT I meant that when my dad followed the directions to the letter I meant that he did exactly this:

How much MMO do I add to the crankcase? Marvel recommends replacing between 10 and 25 percent of your motor oil with MMO. For example, if the crankcase capacity is 5-quarts, add 4 quarts of your favorite motor oil and one quart of Marvel Mystery Oil. If you get your oil changed at a “quick-lube” facility, bring a quart of Marvel with you and ask them to add it to your engine in lieu of one quart of traditional motor oil.

But knowing you, You will find a reason to keep this going.

So if you still want to keep this going, Why don't you use the oil in one of your Q's and then come back and tell me if they survive.

By the way did you ever rev your engine to 6900+ RPM's for 4 min because an other member (Who's name I forget) challenged you too?

[vluzhko]

Hey guysI got similar issue with my 94 Q45. Now when it is cold here in Canada I started experiencing steering issue in the morning.. Just when I start the car the steering is extremely hard. Like I do not have power steering at all.In addition the car makes noise from the hood. sonunds like a pump or belt or whatewer. When I start moving - steering comes back. Just 50 meters - and it is completely OK. The noise - last untill car warm up completely. After that it goes silent but still I can hear it a little.So this is only time I experience steering issue. Morning + cold.

-- Just for information I also have+ Gasoline smell when start cold in the morning for about 5 min untill warms up.+ RPM gows up and down after it warms up for about 30 min. When completely warmed. it is OK.

do not know it those all are simptoms of the same issue but I really need some help and estimates if this is worst to do to this car... I realy love it..

thanks .

[maxnix]

Your fuel lines under the plenum need replacing.

When was the last time you replaced your PS fluid? What are you now running?

When were your accessory belts, in particular the power steering belt and pulley bearings, replaced?

[maxnix]

BUT I meant that when my dad followed the directions to the letter I meant that he did exactly this:

You know, my Dad followed the directions of how to light a cigarette to the letter for 60 some years. He died of lung cancer.

Let me ask you this, would you fill your crankcase with light machine oil? Sometimes wisdom is not found on a label or even the internet. One must always think and be responsible for one's own actions.

Look up the meaning of Caveat emptor . Everything has a purpose if used correctly.

[texasoil]

all that wasted emotional energy trying to educate one who is not interested. The old saying about leading a horse to water and not being able to make it drink== has many similar situations in life. I have learned to offer advice only if I feel it will be considered. Remember Darwin's principles of evolutionary selection are at work in the human species too.

[dbutler249]

Yep - I'm back w/ more PS (BS) problems...I fixed the previous problem I had. Turned out to be the bearing in one of the pulleys fried out causing the belt to whip around and start shredding against the non-moving part.

Now it's the same situation again (harder to steer in the morning - intermittent the rest of the day). I popped the hood and it looks like the reservoir is spewing ps fluid from the top (not a lot but enough) and that's what's causing the problem.

So the question is... do I need to replace the whole ps pump or can I just replace the hose?

[Q45tech]

Historically [over a few thousand Q45 serviced] the pump is the last thing to fail. Idler bearings and belts fail before flex hoses, then hardline crimp adapters/transistions leak, rack seals, and the last thing is a pump..........unless the PS fluid was allowed to become brown and full of wear metal grinding down the pump blades [rare].