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jvb
New User
Nov 22, 2008, 6:39 PM
Post #1 of 12
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My 95 suburban (bought as a repo, big mistake) steers ok to the left, but the turning radius to the right is very large by comparison. I notice it especially when I'm in a parking lot and trying to turn into a stall. The car is a 4x4, it had a leaking power steering hose when I got it. It doesn't make noise or any odd sound from the power steering pump. Any idea what it might be??? Could it be the steering box??? I had to replace the peice that the front left brake caliper bolts to (stripped holes), but the one I got looked exactly like the one I replaced so I don't think thats causing the problem. How do I test the front end to see if its the gear box or pump??? Any help would be grateful, because I know little about this front end. Thanks JVB
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way2old
Veteran
/ Moderator
Nov 22, 2008, 6:43 PM
Post #2 of 12
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Re: steering problem
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Center the steering wheel. Place a piece of tape at 12 o'clock. Turn all the way to the left. Count revolutions. Re-center wheel. Turn all the way to right. Count revolutions. Should be the same as left turn. Let us know the results.
Being way2old is why I need help from younger minds
(This post was edited by way2old on Nov 22, 2008, 6:44 PM)
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jvb
New User
Nov 27, 2008, 6:47 PM
Post #3 of 12
(2603 views)
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Re: steering problem
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Sorry this took so long. Centering the steering wheel it turns approx. 1 and 1/3 revolutions equally in either direction. Thanks JVB
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dmac0923
Enthusiast
Nov 27, 2008, 7:10 PM
Post #4 of 12
(2600 views)
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Re: steering problem
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ok so your wheel and rack are centered in relation to each other.
when you say its hard to turn to the right, you mean it takes more arm strength to turn the steering wheel?
check your tie rod ends and ball joints
__________________________________________________
2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee
2002 Ford Ranger
2004 Toyota Corolla
1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Nov 27, 2008, 7:10 PM
Post #5 of 12
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Re: steering problem
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JVB - Question: Does this really have less turning radius to right then left or just seem that way? Family has a 96 (bought new) of same and it's turning is REMARKABLY limited compared to 2WDs or newer ones. Lots of "three" point attacks on parking spots in this vehicle and if it's that alone it's normal for these 
T
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Nov 27, 2008, 7:17 PM
Post #6 of 12
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Re: steering problem
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dmac - guess we "hit" at the same time.
While I'm here - wanted to add that the idler arm on this about can't be greased if you don't really lower the plastic splash shield to get at it and you just know nobody does. It matters and will cause stiffer steering. Two 15mm bolts at the rear of the sheild and it will flop down hinged from front. I never could get a shot at the idler from upstairs worth a damn but do grease those EVERY time or at least every 3,000 miles - it matters!
T
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jvb
New User
Nov 29, 2008, 11:40 AM
Post #7 of 12
(2566 views)
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Re: steering problem
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If I have to turn left into a parking stall, it relatively easy if its wide, right is always a 3 point turn. I don't notice it as much when driving on the streets, mostly because I don't normally have to turn stop to stop on the wheel, but parking lots are very tough. One note: when I got this car it had a very leaky power steering hose, could the pump be bad??? Thanks JVB
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dmac0923
Enthusiast
Nov 29, 2008, 11:56 AM
Post #8 of 12
(2562 views)
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Re: steering problem
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when pumps go bad they usually whine along with hard steering.
did you check the fluid? was the leaky hose ever replaced? and if so was it the correct one?
__________________________________________________
2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee
2002 Ford Ranger
2004 Toyota Corolla
1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Nov 29, 2008, 12:21 PM
Post #9 of 12
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Re: steering problem
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If you have the correct # of turns from center it really shouldn't be able to turn one way more than the other.
Ok: The one I drive quite frequently - 96 Sub 4X4 1/2 ton job steers like crap and always did. Steering effort is higher than I like even with tires properly inflated, proper everything about it. It is better with the now rare set of new tires till they get some wear.
I don't think a hose or leak can restrict the steering amount. If there was an obstruction or misadjustment in front end parts it should show up with the counting of turns thing.
Perhaps what you notice with the right vs left is for a left parking spot you are starting from the right side of a lane (I can't know the exact situation) and simply have more room for the turn.
This one I drive (handicapped Mom's vehicle) has a designated parking spot on right and if you don't start from the wrong side of the lane if just WON'T make that turn in one try for love nor money! This has been noted by all who drive the thing and also noted that starting MY 2000 they steer sharper.
The level of power assist is not adjustable to my knowlege - guys correct me if I'm wrong on that. It is probably just normal for that vehicle for that era of them.
Allright: You could measure the track of the circle in an open parking lot to verify this but I think you'll find it the same either way. It is annoying - aggreed. If not for the "handicapped" larger parking places this thing would be a real pill in ordinary parking lots. Backing in helps with land yacht type vehicles when you can but that doesn't help with access to rear door(s) if that's always used as the one I deal with is.
It just may be the wrong vehicle for you ??
T
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Loren Champlain Sr
Veteran
/ Moderator
Nov 29, 2008, 12:47 PM
Post #10 of 12
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Re: steering problem
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This is hurting my head thinking about it, but what if the tie rods had been replaced and the length of the inner to outer tie rods is shorter on one side than the other (then pull the steering wheel to recenter).
Outer Inner Inner Outer
Tie rod Tie rod Tie rod Tie rod
*--adj.link---* *-----adj.link-----*
{-- length?-- } {-----length------}
Loren
SW Washington
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Nov 29, 2008, 2:05 PM
Post #11 of 12
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Re: steering problem
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Got that same headache Loren. If the length of tie rods were compensated by pulling wheel and just putting it back on looking straight - wouldn't it steer more turns one way than the other??
This is going to make me count the turns on a known original you know to find out!
T
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way2old
Veteran
/ Moderator
Nov 29, 2008, 6:21 PM
Post #12 of 12
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Re: steering problem
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One more possibility. The vehicle could have been in a wrech and the dector shaft could have been twisted. We had 2 cruisers do that and took us a while to find it. Surest way to be sure is to remove pitman arm and look at splines. Since it was a repo and you know nothing of the history of it, I wouls look anyway.
Being way2old is why I need help from younger minds
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