Stranger Power Steering 94 Q

[cr506]

I have very hard power steering in my 94 Q. It doesn't matter what speed. The reservoir is full and I hear no tell-tale noise that a bad pump usually gives. When I jack the front end off of the ground I cannot move the tires side to side by hand. If I disconnect the steering shaft from the rack and pinion the steering wheel of course moves easily but it takes considerable effort to move the tires side to side by hand although it can be done. I don't want to just go buying the wrong parts since they are not at all cheap. Anyone have similar problems?

I should also add that the tire moving, etc is exactly the same whether the car is running or not.

[Infinitiguy19]

Is there any leaks?

Has the fluid been flushed?

What is the color and smell of fluid?

I am leaning toward the PS pump.

[cr506]

There looks like a little fluid around the boots but the level has not gone down. The fluid looks good, smells good. I would doubt it has ever been flushed.

[Infinitiguy19]

Sorry to say that you might need a new rack if the boots were torn long enough, Because if you Boots are torn crap gets into the rack and destroys the seals and just destroys the rack unless you rebuild it or buy new. Or used if you want to take a chance.

[Q45tech]

Check variable speed steering controller output voltage as described in FSM. Can be measured at Consult connector with VOM.

[cr506]

my battery went dead for a couple of days and now after i jumped it off the steering is working fine. any ideas as to why?