Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Stiff steering

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

    Stiff steering

    Good Morning all and Happy New year!

    I have a steering question an wondering if anyone else has been through this.

    My '97 Lincoln Town Car has been having stiff steering. I am no longer able to turn the steering wheel with ease with one hand (one finger turn). I have been noticing that even and real cold mornings when I go to work, the steering is incredibly stiff! After making turns the steering wheel does not return back (only returns 25%) . The rest of the way, I would have to assist back to normal.
    "To Find yourself, you must first lose yourself"

    -1973 Volkswagen Bus Westy
    -1986 Honda Magna 700cc
    -1989 Lincoln Town car Signature Series
    -2011 Subaru Outback

    #2
    Could be an alignment issue. Returnability is a caster thing. Inspect your balljoints and whatnot.

    Comment


      #3
      Yeah, What I suspect is

      -what you said
      -Power steering pump could be going
      -power steering pressure switch could be screwy
      "To Find yourself, you must first lose yourself"

      -1973 Volkswagen Bus Westy
      -1986 Honda Magna 700cc
      -1989 Lincoln Town car Signature Series
      -2011 Subaru Outback

      Comment


        #4
        Originally posted by porschpow View Post
        Yeah, What I suspect is

        -Power steering pump could be going
        A pump would not cause a wheel returnability issue, by that point the vehicle is rolling and the alignment should more or less make it return to center as you drive.

        Stupid question, is your variable assist steering setting switched all the way up?

        Comment


          #5
          Not a stupid question at all. I have been reading up on that. Apparently the switch is next to the oil filter and is prone to screwing up from the road grime. I usually leave it at the low setting.

          A separate question, I have to replace the pump anyway since it leaks, what Power steering pump should I stay away from
          "To Find yourself, you must first lose yourself"

          -1973 Volkswagen Bus Westy
          -1986 Honda Magna 700cc
          -1989 Lincoln Town car Signature Series
          -2011 Subaru Outback

          Comment


            #6
            Originally posted by porschpow View Post
            A separate question, I have to replace the pump anyway since it leaks, what Power steering pump should I stay away from
            A leaking one. Go with Cardone or Motorcraft.

            Comment


              #7
              Sticky U joints in the steering shaft will also make it do this. The 90s cars seem prone to having them rust up.
              86 Lincoln Town Car (Galactica).
              5.0 HO, CompCams XE258,Scorpion 1.72 roller rockers, 3.55 K code rear, tow package, BHPerformance ported E7 heads, Tmoss Explorer intake, 65mm throttle body, Hedman 1 5/8" headers, 2.5" dual exhaust, ASP underdrive pulley

              91 Lincoln Mark VII LSC grandpa spec white and cranberry

              1984 Lincoln Continental TurboDiesel - rolls coal

              Originally posted by phayzer5
              I drive a Lincoln. I can't be bothered to shift like the peasants and rabble rousers

              Comment


                #8
                Good info guys. I've noticed the steering on my current '90 is much stiffer than the other one was.

                Comment


                  #9
                  POWER STEERING pump i'm guessing is original as far as i know. I never changed it since I had it (almost five years ago).

                  Has 123,000 miles on the car.

                  I still need to lift the front end off and steer the car left and right to see if it is not stiff (tie rods/ball joints) (WITH THE CAR OT RUNNING OF COURSE). I also sprayed the shaft (up and down) with pb blaster and silicone. It got a little better but barely noticeable
                  "To Find yourself, you must first lose yourself"

                  -1973 Volkswagen Bus Westy
                  -1986 Honda Magna 700cc
                  -1989 Lincoln Town car Signature Series
                  -2011 Subaru Outback

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Not sure I've ever had a PS pump get noticeably weak, usually they just leak or get noisy. Mostly the noise comes from wear, which happens when the leak causes them to run really low on fluid.
                    86 Lincoln Town Car (Galactica).
                    5.0 HO, CompCams XE258,Scorpion 1.72 roller rockers, 3.55 K code rear, tow package, BHPerformance ported E7 heads, Tmoss Explorer intake, 65mm throttle body, Hedman 1 5/8" headers, 2.5" dual exhaust, ASP underdrive pulley

                    91 Lincoln Mark VII LSC grandpa spec white and cranberry

                    1984 Lincoln Continental TurboDiesel - rolls coal

                    Originally posted by phayzer5
                    I drive a Lincoln. I can't be bothered to shift like the peasants and rabble rousers

                    Comment


                      #11
                      As John said, the returnability issue wouldn't seem to be from Power Steering, Although my power steering seems to be leaking from the underside. Seems to be coming from the power steering pulley area. However I notice when I go to take on/off ramps with the steering wheel turned, the steering wheel would almost pulsate (meaning it would be a smooth turn of the steering wheel
                      "To Find yourself, you must first lose yourself"

                      -1973 Volkswagen Bus Westy
                      -1986 Honda Magna 700cc
                      -1989 Lincoln Town car Signature Series
                      -2011 Subaru Outback

                      Comment


                        #12
                        that honestly sounds like U joint binding or a failing bearing in the steering column. Usually if the PS pump is ailing it will only give you trouble on rapid wheel movements like parking. Unless its sucking air, in which case it'll do generally stupid things.
                        86 Lincoln Town Car (Galactica).
                        5.0 HO, CompCams XE258,Scorpion 1.72 roller rockers, 3.55 K code rear, tow package, BHPerformance ported E7 heads, Tmoss Explorer intake, 65mm throttle body, Hedman 1 5/8" headers, 2.5" dual exhaust, ASP underdrive pulley

                        91 Lincoln Mark VII LSC grandpa spec white and cranberry

                        1984 Lincoln Continental TurboDiesel - rolls coal

                        Originally posted by phayzer5
                        I drive a Lincoln. I can't be bothered to shift like the peasants and rabble rousers

                        Comment


                          #13
                          I'm assuming the bearing in the steering column is in the firewall?

                          Also, i may believe you're right. I notice it especially in the cold weather that as a turn the steering wheel, i notice resistance and then all of a sudden, the resistance is gone and the steering is easier.....Weird!

                          I did change the shaft above right by the firewall and i did spray the lower shaft knuckle with pb blaster followed by white lithium grease
                          "To Find yourself, you must first lose yourself"

                          -1973 Volkswagen Bus Westy
                          -1986 Honda Magna 700cc
                          -1989 Lincoln Town car Signature Series
                          -2011 Subaru Outback

                          Comment


                            #14
                            The bearing in the steering column, can that be accessed from the cabin or from under the hood?
                            "To Find yourself, you must first lose yourself"

                            -1973 Volkswagen Bus Westy
                            -1986 Honda Magna 700cc
                            -1989 Lincoln Town car Signature Series
                            -2011 Subaru Outback

                            Comment


                              #15
                              inside the car. The lower one might require removing the column to take it apart though. I've never had to change one myself, I just know that it has bearings in there.
                              86 Lincoln Town Car (Galactica).
                              5.0 HO, CompCams XE258,Scorpion 1.72 roller rockers, 3.55 K code rear, tow package, BHPerformance ported E7 heads, Tmoss Explorer intake, 65mm throttle body, Hedman 1 5/8" headers, 2.5" dual exhaust, ASP underdrive pulley

                              91 Lincoln Mark VII LSC grandpa spec white and cranberry

                              1984 Lincoln Continental TurboDiesel - rolls coal

                              Originally posted by phayzer5
                              I drive a Lincoln. I can't be bothered to shift like the peasants and rabble rousers

                              Comment

                              Working...
                              X