Hi all.

I have a '07 Stype 3.0 with about 69k miles on it.

For the past week I have been noticing that my steering wheel's tension has been switching back and forth between very loose and tight (as in usual tightness). I find it a bit odd.

Now these are just my observations from this week so far:

Usually it occurs when first I turn the car on, it's very loose. After I drive for a while it begins to gradually get more tight to what it usually feels like.

One time while I was in the middle of driving, the tension felt loose and gradually became tighter back to what it usually feels like.

I was thinking that I should change out my steering fluid. Maybe it's old/dirty or something.

Anything I should look into guys?

Many Thanks
-Ricky

 

Is your power steering fluid level up to the normal mark on the reservoir?

Dexron III is the appropriate fluid, by the way....

Your power steering pump may be on the way out as well. Could be intermittent pump failure. You may want to check the pump's fuses and connections first, however....

 

Thanks for your response. I checked the fluid level, and its at the correct level. I took some fluid out to check its consistency, and it looks pretty clean to me.

Also, an important note that I must mention: about a year ago I had the steering rack replaced under the Select Edition warranty. Reason for this was because sometimes at very low speeds (idle speeds) when I used to turn the car used to vibrate.

I shall check the fuses as you mentioned later this evening.

 

I was checking the owner's manual for the location of the power steering pump fuse and I wasn't able to find it listed in the manual. Am I overlooking it?

 

Not sure but grab JTIS and it has the info.

 

The P/S is hydraulic so no fuse for the pump. It is variable ratio and variable feedback. This can cause your problem.
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Many Thanks...so if its variable ratio and variable feedback, are you going toward that the problem I have is normal as it varies? If so, I don't recall having this issue before...just a thought...

 

No, it sounds faulty.

 

It's supposed to have high assist at low speeds for things like parking. At higher and higher road speeds the assist is backed off so you have more road feel.

The variable ratio gives you a center steering position that is not too sensitive and causes the car to wander with the slightest touch but also without having to turn the steering wheel 5 revolutions to make a corner. The more you turn the wheel the quicker the car turns in. The rack has a fast ratio at its ends and a slow ratio in the center position.

You can't adjust or change the variable ratio but the amount of assist is under computer control. Some guys on the LS forum unhook the steering assist sensor completely so the system is in minimum assist at all times. Not too much of a problem because P/S is standard.

Your problem could be this or you could have some kind of binding going on because of worn suspension parts. So first thing is to make sure everything is OK under the car. Probably will require a shop to check this. You don't seem to be a mechanic?

If it was my car I would look underneath and check everything. Then I would unplug the assist sensor and see if the steering still varied like it's doing now.
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Thank you for the explanation. Yes, I'm not a mechanic. I'll surely have it looked at by a mechanic at a shop near me.