OK, I think I wasn't clear :^)
The "leak" will NOT be an "external" leak. You won't see any fluid leaking
from the rack, and the fluid level won't change. Rather, it will be INSIDE
the steering rack, allowing fluid to flow between chambers inside the rack.
Moving the wheel lock-to-lock will not affect anything.
And with this issue, you will still have just fine power steering assist.
What happens though is that when the rack is cold, it will "pull" to one
side as the fluid leak inside the rack causes the rack itself to "move" when
it shouldn't. The rack heats up, the seals start sealing much better,
and the effect gets less (or disappears completely).
Of course, check the "easier" things first like tires and dragging brake
calipers, but your diagnosis so far has done nothing to "rule out" this as
the problem.
Ed Runnion Santa Clara CA
mailto:Ed_Runnion@RegionOfDoom.com
96 Chevy Impala SS, ESP #984
02 Subaru WRX SportWagon, DS #984
-----Original Message-----
From: Michael R. Clements [mailto:mrclem@telocity.com]
Sent: Wednesday, April 17, 2002 7:48 AM
To: Runnion, Ed; ba-autox@autox.team.net
Cc: mrclem@telocity.com
Subject: RE: Pull to Left
The power steering works just fine, does not leak, and the fluid is at the
correct level. I tried pulling over and moving the steering wheel lock to
lock
a couple of times, but it did not affect the problem.
-----Original Message-----
From: Runnion, Ed [mailto:Ed_Runnion@RegionOfDoom.com]
Sent: Tuesday, April 16, 2002 13:56
To: 'ba-autox@autox.team.net'
Cc: 'mrclem@telocity.com'
Subject: Pull to Left
>Car pulls to the left when driving. Has never done this before, was fine
>in the morning, parked for about 3 hours, was doing it when I started it
>up and drove away. Was not hit by anything, nor was it tampered with
>The pull happens only when cold. After about 5 miles of driving, the
>left pull is greatly reduced as to be barely detectable -- but still
>there.
I think this last sentence is key : it happens when cold.
Does the car have power steering? If so, this points to issues in the PS
rack. Namely, leaking internal seals. Once the leaking seals heat up,
they "seal" better and the mysterious pull goes away.
Some of the GM cars in the 80's were famous for doing this.
Ed Runnion Santa Clara CA
mailto:Ed_Runnion@RegionOfDoom.com
96 Chevy Impala SS, ESP #984
02 Subaru WRX SportWagon, DS #984
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