Power steering took a shit

[pimp86LX]

Well first off my passenger side suspension is really stiff and i haven't determined exactly why. I've been driving my 3g for a few weeks now and out of nowere my power steering decided to not work. I checked the fluid and it was fine. i checked the belt and its ok...so i'm purplexed as to were to even start looking


HELP :-)

[pimp86LX]

stayin on top.....

[pimp86LX]

I know this is in the wrong section but no one has had their power steering quit before?

Its odd because i can get answers off this board when i don't need it.. ie) Lights and appearance mods, or possible performance options i'm contemplating. but when i have a problem i get disapointed...odd

[Mike's89AccordLX]

I only had problems with it when it was low on PS fluid. I have no idea on what's going on with your car. That's kinda weird.

[pimp86LX]

well thank you for replying, much appreciated. Vanilla sky says my pump could have simply gone out, i'll see if thats it. Is there anyway to test a pump?

[Mike's89AccordLX]

I know how that goes when know one replys, so I thought I would just be nice since, we're probably the only 2 online.

[ACCORD EX]

does your belt turn ? anyway you can check if the pump is working by disconnecting the return hose from the P.S fluid tank and see if thereis any fluid coming of it when turning the wheel !
and there could be another problem , there is a sensor on the steering wheel where it activates power steering when wheel turned don't ask me where because i know that theoritical !


MIKE

[socal3rdgen]

ok well heres my problem. my power steering works 30 % of the time. the fluid is full. it tend to hesitate sometimes and then work, and then other times it just doesn't work. anybody now whats happening. this might solve both our problems?

[pimp86LX]

the belt does turn. I checked the fluid today and it was almost empty, so i went to the auto shop filled er up and it worked kinda...but the fluid pissed out by the time i got home (10min later)

so i have a leak somewere, i just gotta track it down, could my ram's be seized or leaking themselves? I'm thinking of just putting in a manual steering rack but that seems like a lot of work

[ACCORD EX]

turn on the car ! ask someone to turn the wheel and check for oil under the car to make sure if cylinder seals are shot !

MIKE

[AZmike]

So you never have any assist and the fluid level and belt are good? I've had to do a lot of work with my PS system and never had anything like that happen.

Do any of these help:

NHTSA Item Number: 025734
Component: STEERING:GEAR:RACK
Summary:
POWER STEERING JUDDER FROM P/S RACK, USUALLY ON HARD TURNS-REPLACE POWER STEERIN G CONTROL VALVE-1988 TO 1991 PRELUDE & 1988/89 ACCORDS DG

NHTSA Item Number: 024210
Component: STEERING:POWER ASSIST
Summary:
NEW FRONT ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATION-1900 VOLVO 700 SERIES BB HIGH PITCHED MOAN,THIS NOISE SOMETIMES SHOWS UP ON 88-91 PRELUDES WHEN TURNING S TEERING WHEEL SLOWLY IN EITHER DIRECTION,REPLACINF THE P/S OUTLET HOSE USUALLY E LIMINATES THIS TYPE OF MOAN-1988-91 HONDA PRELUDES AND 1988-89 ACCORDS BB

NHTSA Item Number: 005241
Component: STEERING:GEAR:RACK
Summary:
DIAGNOSING STEERING RACK LEAKS-RACKS DON'T ALWAYS NEED NEW RACK END SEALS, EVEN FLUID SPEWING FROM BOTH ENDS-PROBLEM AMY BE LEAKY CONTROL UNIT THAT CAN FIXED WI THOUT REMOVING RACK-BEFORE PULL RACK OUT OF CAR, SLIDE BOTH BOOTS BACK AND CLEAN RACK, GEAR HOUSING, AND CYLINDER-START ENGINE AND TURN STEERING WHEEL BACK AND FORTH UNTIL YOU SEE WHICH END OF RACK LEAKING- IF RIGHT END LEAKING, RESEAL RACK -IF LEAK COMING FROM LEFT END, RESEAL CONTROL UNIT FIRST-ALL HONDA ACCORD AND PR ELUDE MODELS TLH

[accord19882002]

My car is doing that, but not that bad. The cylinder seals on the rack are slowly leaking and i have to refill the PS fluid about every other week. BTW, make sure that you're using Honda Power Steering Fluid. Not sure why, but the cap and owners manual say to use only Honda approved fluid.

[kennyaccordlxi]

if the steering wheel is hard to turn you might need a new PS pump. Only use genuine Honda Power Steering Fluid ( comes in a grey bottle), Don`t use the cheap fluid or the imitation Honda Power (blue or black bottle, don`t remember I saw it at pep boys it will fuck up your power Steering Pump seals). I learned the hard way. Like accord19882002 said "use only Honda approved Fluid"


:pimp:

[njpeter]

I'm starting to have some ps issues just as described by the rest of you. specific-after sitting for a few hours the power assist isn't working right, I've likly gummed up the works by not using genuine hoda ps fluid..but when warm, it works quite well. I've never had a ps rack problem on any honda, including my 300k white (no rust anywhere) 87 lx ( we call her the firebird..did you know that PS fluid can burn?).

Next time I'm at the delaer I have to get some and drain some of the old crap out. I'd guess some pressure valve is not closing, I've not looked into the innards of the rack..from what I've herad, rack replacement is usally needed.

I think I'm going to hate that job as much as pulling an engine to replace a tranny.

Just pulled it last weekend, got my crane for $200 delivered to my door!( barginjims.com)and was able to whip it right out ( of course getting the various nuts and bolts off was lots of up and downs)..the shift cabe 10mm bolts to the shifter were tricky..right next to the razor sharp heat shield. took a hammer to the shield, those cuts really hurt.

I regret to inform you that it is most possible that:

I'll be back

[AZmike]

The control valve in the rack can sometimes stick (see TSBs posted by me up a few posts).

Using non-Honda fluid may be damaging your seals. Every place I called asking about steering racks asked if I was using the wrong PSF after I told them mine was leaking.