Steering - Takes More Effort

[crouse]

I've noticed that my steering takes more effort to turn the wheel. Doesn't seem to matter if the temperature outside is 10 degrees or 40 degrees. Or if the car is cold or up to normal operating temperature. The power steering reservoir is at the proper level. I've never changed the fluid and the pump is not making any growling sounds. I'm worried it's the rack & pinion. Has anyone else run into something similar?

[Ambitious1]

Are there any noises when turning? Clicking? Clanging?

[Turbov6Bryan]

Have you lubed the steering shaft from column to rack?

Turkey baster and dex 3 with macron was original fluid in reservoir, now they say to use mercon V, same as our trans fluid
I just did 2 marauders this weekend and used dextron 3 with macron, used a turkey baster and swapped fluid 3-4 times, each time turning L to R 10 times

Doubt changing fluid helps aid in effort, but if you have never changed the fluid, you need to

Lube the shaft

[rauder88]

Could be a bad VAPS module behind the glove box. Pretty common issue, mine used to be tough to turn, then would free up then go back whenever it wanted to.

[Ourobos]

^ Is there diagnosis for VAPS module? Mine does the same, and I was about to pull the VAPS from the rack. Would prefer to swap some electronics

[Fman]

Mine did that last month and the dealer diagnosed a bad power steering pump, which fixed the problem. It still worked, but took more effort, like crouse mentioned. It was stiff enough that I couldn't spin the wheel with my palm while turning at low speeds, but on the highway it felt normal.

[crouse]

Are there any noises when turning? Clicking? Clanging?

No clicking or clanging sounds.

[crouse]

Have you lubed the steering shaft from column to rack?

Turkey baster and dex 3 with macron was original fluid in reservoir, now they say to use mercon V, same as our trans fluid
I just did 2 marauders this weekend and used dextron 3 with macron, used a turkey baster and swapped fluid 3-4 times, each time turning L to R 10 times

Doubt changing fluid helps aid in effort, but if you have never changed the fluid, you need to

Lube the shaft

I will give this a try. A couple quarts of Mercon V is cheap.

[crouse]

Mine did that last month and the dealer diagnosed a bad power steering pump, which fixed the problem. It still worked, but took more effort, like crouse mentioned. It was stiff enough that I couldn't spin the wheel with my palm while turning at low speeds, but on the highway it felt normal.

If the pump was growling, that would be the smoking gun.

[fastblackmerc]

Try spraying the steering shaft joint with some WD-40.

[crouse]

I sprayed the steering shaft u-joints with lube and that did not help.

[crouse]

Now last night when I drove home from work, the steering was fine and also this morning. I wonder if my spray lube just needed a little time to penetrate?

[ChiTownMaraud3r]

I had intermittent power steering issues on my grand marquis when I pinched a wire when re-installing the oil filter adapter gasket. I taped it up and issues went away, but during some research, that connector can corrode and cause similar issues. Give it a check, maybe spray with contact cleaner, it should be right above and to the left of the oil filter adapter gasket.