Sticky steering

[1987caddy]

When making slight left hand turns in my 95 xe 4wd, the steering sticks like when a rack and pinion is going out. Only does it going left especially onto a 4 lane road, turning the steering a 1/8 to 1/4 turn. Any suggestions where to start? Hoping it's not the steering box. $$$

[Alkorahil]

Drop the lower engine cover and then start the vehicle in park with the parking brake on.

Have someone get in the driver seat and slowly turn the wheel to the left then to the right while you look from undernear (not all the way under just enough to see clearly) at the steering linkage move and see if you can see what is causing the 'stick' in the linkage while things move around. That may point you in the right direction.

 

check your power steering fluid level as well!

 

Also,

with the AC off, watch the rpms on the tach as you move the steering wheel, the rpms should dip down just a tad (100 RPM or so) for a second when you move the steering wheel. If fluid level is good and the rpms move some your power steering is operating, though if old repalcing the power steering fluid with some fresh new fluid might be a thing to put on your 'to do' list

Edited November 21, 2013 by Alkorahil