G35 power steering

[stace]

recently purchased a 2004 G35 sedan and love the car. noticed that the progressive weighting of the power steering reguires a lot of muscle at low speeds. I understand that modern power steering systems are designed to give changing resistance due to car speed but, this seems unusually stiff during parking, etc.

My question is does the G35 have a common problem or known weakness of design in the power steering? should I be looking at the PS pump first or the rack? any suggestions are much appreciated. If that is just typical of this car and I should leave it alone that will be helpful advice as well.

thanks in advance!!

also I did do a search with no results.

[elwesso]

Welcome to the forum, stace.....

I moved this thread to the G35 forum, despite my inclination to leave it in the onlien mechanic. I think you will get better response in the G35 forum.

Good luck!!

[C-Kwik]

This was the way it was designed. From 05 on, they switched to a vehicle speed sensitive power steering which gets stiffer with speed. The earlier versions are engine speed sensitive.

[joe603]

Man, what else have they changed for 05-06?

[stace]

thanks to everyone for your response. still seems that the steering effort is more than other G35s I test drove but it sounds like it is not a characteric problem or design flaw. may one day need a new PS pump or something - interesting that its a system they updated in 05.

thanks again!!

[C-Kwik]

Man, what else have they changed for 05-06?

I'll try to keep it brief , but off the top of my head, the interior trim was all changed for 05+. The Nav screen supposedly is motorized, but I haven't seen that for myself. The Nav screen is also .5" bigger. Blue tooth is available now(can't remember if it came out in 05 or 06. The Stereo also plays MP3's off of CDs.

The 6MT's got the rev-up VQ's which boasts 298 HP. The Brembos are no longer available on any model but all G's got larger brakes that aren't too much smaller than the Brembos. They also now offer a 19" wheel package.

I hear the rear wing got smaller as well. Can't think of anything else at the moment.

[C-Kwik]

thanks to everyone for your response. still seems that the steering effort is more than other G35s I test drove but it sounds like it is not a characteric problem or design flaw. may one day need a new PS pump or something - interesting that its a system they updated in 05.

thanks again!!

Sometimes it does appear randomly stiffer at times. But depending on when you need low speed turning, it can make a difference. With a cold engine start, the motor idles higher and tends to keep steering a bit lighter. When I leave the house in the morning, I don't notice any extra steering effort. When I get to work and park, I notice it. When I leave, I do not. I usually don't need to turn much at low speeds anywhere else, but these are the observations I've made.

[halmech]

For the 06's we also have new headlights, the intelligent Key option (awesome), a trunk release button in the rear left tail light, blue tooth phone capability. The rear spoiler now only goes to the edge of the trunk lid, it doesn't hang over the rear fenders like in previous models. I picked up my 06 coupe, auto transmission last week and just love it. I love the power of this thing especially after hitting 4000 rpms, it really starts to pull in that power band. About the only I don't like is the slight lag when under heavy acceleration and shifting from 1st to 2nd gear in manual shift mode and nothing happens for about 1-2 secondsI've previously owned a 90 corvette in 90 and a 94 Trans AM and the G35 beats them hands down.

[encore]

Hi, I'm the new kid on the block, hope you can assist.

I own a 2002 G35, bought in 2003 and driven daily since then. On a recent trip, no warning, but sudden loss of power steering at idle or parking speed. No lights in the dash to indicate a fault.

There's also a whine from the pump such as you get when on full lock.I note there is a pressure switch in the high pressure pipe of the pump with a three pin electrical connector. If this is disconnected the "engine check" light comes on so it looks like the pressure at the pump is OK.

I'm inclined to think it may be a fault with the pressure relief valve. Can anyone confirm this and tell me where it's located?

Once it's rolling there's no hint of a problem. I've looked through the Forum and notice that Stace has the same problem, so in all likelyhood there's someone out there who's had the fault and had it fixed.

Any help would be appreciated.

Encore.

[C-Kwik]

I think stace is describing an inherent trait with the pre-05 G's. The problem you describe sounds like you may be having an actual failure. If you're under warranty, take it in. Otherwise you can take it to a shop or if planning to repair it yourself, find yourself an FSM to help diagnose the problem. I'm not sure of your problem myself.

[encore]

Thanks for the reply but Stace say's it all when he says it needs a lot of muscle at slow speed, certainly there is less assistance at speed but the real issue is the fact that there's none at idle. When starting from cold the rev's are slightly higher and coupled with the cold oil it feels almost normal, until the oil reaches temp' and then it's really heavy again.

I believe the answer revolves around the slight whine from the P/S, could be caused by a restriction, a valve is open where it should be shut, or vice versa.

Does anyone know of an on-line service manual I could look at? I can fix it once I know what I'm dealing with.

Encore.

[qbcsvt]

Has anyone found an actual fix for this. I have an 04 G35 Sport Package and this morning. The steering felt heavier than normal. Now when I am at a stand still it takes a lot more muscle in order to turn the steering wheel. I have checked my power steering and it's clean as well as within fill range when hot as well as cold. During normal highway speeds I have no issue but in town driving it is a bit harder to make a turn when it was previously effortless.

Fluid is clean and filled properly.
I have no visible leaks from below.
12-6 and 9-3 test when the car is in the air is solid (indicating the tie rods are still doing well).
Belt connected to power steering pump pulley is not damaged - belt looks to be spinning properly - Belt is not loose.
Power steering pump is not whining or showing any visible/audible signs of failure.

My question: Is there a sensor that works with the power steering pump? "Informing" the ps pump the vehicle speed or engine speed?