nathanholtgrewe Posted April 6, 2014 Share Posted April 6, 2014 Hi Guys, Looking for some input. I went out the other day and got really stuck. Front right was buried in a deep rut. Finally got it out with my high lift jack and a lot of digging, etc. When I got back down the hill I realized I had no power steering. With no leaks or visible issues I decided it was the power steering pump. I replaced it today, put in all new fluid, flushed out old fluid and air. Issue is still there. The only other things there are the steering box, and the rack. Anyone ever had a rack go bad like this. I can get one for like $150 and it doesn't look to hard to replace. What do you guys think? I have a '98 with the 4" SFD and 2" AC coils if that matters. Thanks for the input. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alkorahil Posted April 7, 2014 Share Posted April 7, 2014 You put a new pump on so the belt is there. It has fluid, there are no leaks in any of the hoses? I suspect it will be something with the rack since the vehicle was buried in the hole. On the top of the rack near where they steering shaft goes into the rack there are two metal lines. Check to see if they are bent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
APACHECHIEF13 Posted April 7, 2014 Share Posted April 7, 2014 Check your center link also that would cause hard steering Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
devonianwalk Posted April 7, 2014 Share Posted April 7, 2014 Check to see if they are bent. ^^^ This. You might have kinked a hard line. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nathanholtgrewe Posted April 8, 2014 Author Share Posted April 8, 2014 I don't see any kinks. And what is the center link? I found a new rack at a yard for $100 but it is for se models. Not sure if that works on my mine or not. I think I have an le. It has leather and all power and 4wd. Its definently not leaking. And the steering linkage/knuckle looks pretty straight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adamzan Posted April 9, 2014 Share Posted April 9, 2014 You don't have a center link, that is a 95 and older thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alkorahil Posted April 10, 2014 Share Posted April 10, 2014 OK I thought outside the box some..... The power steering pressure switch on the pressure line is on the right side of the vehicle and rather sits low in the engine bay. If the switch is in the closed position there will be no power assist to the steering rack. The switch could have gotten wet/muddy and fried or is not making a connection to the harness now because of mud in the connector. You could have also damaged the harness to the switch when the vehicle was stuck in the hole. In park with the vehicle running, If your switch is working properly you will have power steering and the RPM on the tach will dip down slightly when you turn the wheel right or left. Here is the part information should you need it: PART NUMBER: 49761-0W000 DESCRIPTION: SWITCH-PRESSURE, PWR STR $69.33 (Nissan List: $92.43) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nathanholtgrewe Posted April 12, 2014 Author Share Posted April 12, 2014 OK I thought outside the box some..... The power steering pressure switch on the pressure line is on the right side of the vehicle and rather sits low in the engine bay. If the switch is in the closed position there will be no power assist to the steering rack. The switch could have gotten wet/muddy and fried or is not making a connection to the harness now because of mud in the connector. You could have also damaged the harness to the switch when the vehicle was stuck in the hole. In park with the vehicle running, If your switch is working properly you will have power steering and the RPM on the tach will dip down slightly when you turn the wheel right or left. Here is the part information should you need it: PART NUMBER: 49761-0W000 DESCRIPTION: SWITCH-PRESSURE, PWR STR $69.33 (Nissan List: $92.43) Thanks for the idea. I looked at the sensor. No visible damage or mud. Is there a way to bypass it by removing it or shorting it to check to see if it is the sensor, is it normally open? Thanks again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nathanholtgrewe Posted April 12, 2014 Author Share Posted April 12, 2014 Thanks for the idea. I looked at the sensor. No visible damage or mud. Is there a way to bypass it by removing it or shorting it to check to see if it is the sensor, is it normally open? Thanks again. So I tried the steering with the connector off the sensor, no change. Then I shorted the harness to the sensor and the engine revved up a little like it is supposed to I believe. Still no assisted steering when opened or closed. I assume this means its not the sensor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nathanholtgrewe Posted April 15, 2014 Author Share Posted April 15, 2014 I found a steering rack out the third junk yard I tried. Threw it and its all good now. Not sure what was wrong with the other one but it works now! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebelord Posted April 15, 2014 Share Posted April 15, 2014 Probably full of crud. Unless you somehow tweaked it. Sent from my Moto X Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alkorahil Posted April 17, 2014 Share Posted April 17, 2014 So I tried the steering with the connector off the sensor, no change. Then I shorted the harness to the sensor and the engine revved up a little like it is supposed to I believe. Still no assisted steering when opened or closed. I assume this means its not the sensor. If it revs up when you jump the harness but doesn't when the sensor is connected I would look into the sensor more carefully. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alkorahil Posted April 17, 2014 Share Posted April 17, 2014 I found a steering rack out the third junk yard I tried. Threw it and its all good now. Not sure what was wrong with the other one but it works now! Its possible the old rack got something in it through the boots. I cant recall ever seeing this though. Anything is possible. I would think you would have found stuff in your fluid though as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slartibartfast Posted April 17, 2014 Share Posted April 17, 2014 Sounds like the center seal in the steering rack blew out. With that gone, the PS system wouldn't leak externally, but the fluid would wash right through the rack without helping you steer. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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