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Car Forum / Chrysler Cars / January 2005LH Steering Problem
Since it has been 2 months since my last problem with my 96 Eagle Vision TSI, I should have known that I was due for a new one :-) Today when I tried to steer to the left it was very hard. I had to put both hands on the steering wheel and almost drag it to make even a small left turn. Yet I had no problem turning right (that at lease should make the Republicans happy!). I got the car to a repair shop where I was told that the rack & pinion has broken down (I get a more detailed report tomorrow). My question(s) as follows are: 1 In this "normal" for a 9 year old car with 62000 miles? 2: How much am I looking at to fix it? 3: Can I put it off (and yes I know the danger of not being able to go where one wants to) for a while? And if so am I looking at more damage (money spent) down the line? > Since it has been 2 months since my last problem with my 96 Eagle Vision > TSI, I should have known that I was due for a new one :-) [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > > 1 In this "normal" for a 9 year old car with 62000 miles? Yes, mine failed in my '95 Eagle Vision at 60K miles. > 2: How much am I looking at to fix it? I bought a rebuilt unit at Pep Boys for about $230 and had them install it for about $180. A new unit costs about $900. > 3: Can I put it off (and yes I know the danger of not being able to go > where > one wants to) for a while? And if so am I looking at more damage (money > spent) down the line? If you delay, just don't drive the car. How much is your life worth? Read this: http://www.daimlerchryslervehicleproblems.com/ > Since it has been 2 months since my last problem with my 96 Eagle Vision > TSI, I should have known that I was due for a new one :-) [quoted text clipped - 20 lines] > one wants to) for a while? And if so am I looking at more damage (money > spent) down the line? Power steering has fallen into disfavor with me. Eons ago, the heaviest trucks were steered "manually". All that's needed is a recirculating ball gear with enough ratios to do the job. There is nothing intrinsically wrong with power steering if its done right; that is, if there is "feedback" so the driver knows when he is about ready to exceed the available traction on the wheels and leave the road for oblivion. Also, if its done right, the power steering pumps won't be 40,000 miles and its worn out. Ever look at one? Their junk. Cut one open with a hacksaw and you'll wonder why they even last 40,000 miles. Here's how to test for wear out: With the engine running and car stationary, turn the steering wheel slowly back and forth, then turn it fast back and forth. A worn out pump will "groan" when the wheel is fast turned because the pressure can't keep up. So, how's your pump, dude? The problem is the teflon valve seals in the rack and pinion steering gear have wallowed out the aluminum case. Replace the rack unit because it gets worse with cold weather and may suddenly not work when you come to a turn at any time. >Since it has been 2 months since my last problem with my 96 Eagle Vision >TSI, I should have known that I was due for a new one :-) [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] >one wants to) for a while? And if so am I looking at more damage (money >spent) down the line? > Since it has been 2 months since my last problem with my 96 Eagle Vision > TSI, I should have known that I was due for a new one :-) > > Today when I tried to steer to the left it was very hard. I had to put both > hands on the steering wheel and almost drag it to make even a small left > turn. Steering rack. If you're handy, you can replace it yourself. They run about $200. Not a huge job, although inconvenient because of where the rack is located on FWD vehicles. Steering racks seem to be notoriously problem-prone, which is one reason I prefer recirculating-ball steering over rack-and-pinion. But I can't think of any car sold that DOESN'T have R&P steering these days. That said, my wife's 2003 LH car steering rack has lasted over 200k miles without a problem. But I know I'm a statistical outlier and not the norm on this one. > That said, my wife's 2003 LH car steering rack has lasted over 200k > miles without a problem. But I know I'm a statistical outlier and not > the norm on this one. Expect you meant to say it is a 1993, not 2003 ... either that OR you sure put on a lot of miles in just two years! >> That said, my wife's 2003 LH car steering rack has lasted over 200k >> miles without a problem. But I know I'm a statistical outlier and not >> the norm on this one. >> > Expect you meant to say it is a 1993, not 2003 ... either that OR you sure > put on a lot of miles in just two years! I hadn't actually heard of this problem on Chryslers, but it was big GM problem in the 80's. They called it "morning sickness" because eventually it would work after you got down the road a block or two. Dangerous as all heck, it is. >>That said, my wife's 2003 LH car steering rack has lasted over 200k >>miles without a problem. But I know I'm a statistical outlier and not >>the norm on this one. > > Expect you meant to say it is a 1993, not 2003 ... either that OR you sure > put on a lot of miles in just two years! Oops. Yeah, its a 1993.... My brain must have a hydraulic leak. |
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