97 Q steering problem

[SardarQ]

All Q Gurus,

Just noticed this problem.. when the car is cold and I make a right turn, the steering locks-up (becomes manual) and then quickly goes back to power assist.

This never happens when the car is warm. There could be many things but based on this description do you think its the belt/pulley?

Signs are pointing to the rack and pinion. Car has 111k. Anyone else with a steering problem on this model line Y33? If so - please write and tell me what the problem was, most likely its the same.

CJ

[maxnix]

I would be looking at your belt and tensionsers. When it is cold and not up to operating temperature (when you shouldn't be operating it), the belt has less traction. When cranked one to the extreme, the pump is under the most stress. Hence the slippage.

Examine your fluid and flush it if it is over two years old. Urban driving stresses the PS system the most.

[SardarQ]

Its funny you mention that; evertime I start my car in the morning when its very cold, I hear a skreching sound. It goes away when the car is warm. Last summer, I installed a new pulley for the PS. I broke the metal case that the adjusting screw uses to tension the belt. I was forced to use my hands to push the tensioner up and tighten the pulley into place. Its very cold outside in NY. I'll look at this when the weather warms up abit.

Thanks for your input.

[elwesso]

its most likely the belt isnt tight enough...

[maxnix]

its most likely the belt isnt tight enough...

Yeah, but the other problem is those screetches are the sound of your belt being glazed or worse. Slick belts are bad belts.

If there are any cracks or fissures on any of your belts, get new ones and all pulleys from Joe. Replace all belts at once and the bad pulleys (you can tell by spinning them once the belts are not in tension with them.)

Joe will let you return unopened parts for a refund, or just sell them on to another member here if you don't want to cache them.
Modified by maxnix at 5:02 AM 12/14/2006

[LongBeachQ45]

Is there a whining or groaning noise while your p/s locks out to manual? I had a problem similar to that with my y33 and it was just the pump failing and I know another member at NICO had the same. Pull the pulley and check for scoring on the back as it could be snagging a bolt. If you need a new pump there is a website that sells 'em for 160 rebuilt.

[Q45tech]

Steering pump failure only occurs from extreme owner abuse.........failure to change PS fluid at reasonable intervals..........when ever it degrades in color.

If you change you ATF every 30k think annually [15k] for PS...........fluids are so much less expensive than hard parts.

[LongBeachQ45]

true, mine was the fault of a neglectful previous owner, best thing to do is change all fluids when you purchase a used Q.

[SardarQ]

No, there is no whinning noise when the steering locks out and goes manual. If it does, it immedaitely comes back with no sound. The only sound I hear is in the morning when it is very cold outside. I think its the belts.