power steering problem

[3.0trd]

I have an 89 N/A manual. I cant steer this thing to save my life. even driving around town, every bump and imperfection is amplified through the steering column, and cornering? forget it! half way through the corner I have both hands on the wheel, praying that the vibration and shaking wont overpower my arms. I replaced the steering rack today, and there was an improvement, on straight and slightly curved roads I can control it, but hard cornering is still out of the question. My ps pump has been flushed twice, makes no noise whatsoever, and turns effortlessly while standing still. Could it still be the pump?

 

[Kckazdude]

What about the rest of the front suspension system? There is more to it than just a rack and PS pump. Your control arms, ball joints, struts, springs and subframe bushings all play an active part in it.

 

[3.0trd]

the wheel bearings, upper and lower ball joints, sway bar etc are all tight with little to no play. my shocks are old, but it doesn't handle like a boat, and passes the 'bounce test' fairly well.

 

[Kckazdude]

With you describing a physical shake and amplified bumps, it leads me to believe there is a mechanincal failure on one of these components. I am especially suspect of lower control arm bushings or lower ball joints.

 

[3.0trd]

I'll take a closer look today, thanks for the idea

 

[CRE]

Well, I see that the car is an '89... I don't know if those without PPS had it or not, but the pre89 power steering racks have a power steering damper which is supposed to help dampen things like you're describing. It looks like a shock absorber (it IS actually) and IIRC it's mounted to the front of the rack.

 

[3.0trd]

the 89 didn't have the dampner, but the rack I swapped was from an 88 so it does.

 

[3.0trd]

alright, jacked the front tires, and used a prybar on the bottom of the tire, my lower ball joints are TOAST. hopefully that solves the problem.

 

[626na]

where are you going to buy the lower ball joints?