CTSVGuy001

Was driving around and it became very hard to make left turns. It's as if I have no power steering assist on left turns. Right turns are fine like normal. I checked my power steering fluid level and it was fine. Any ideas? '06 CTS- V.

DarkCharisma

Any noises?

Recent fluid or pump change?

Leaking anything from your rack?

At a glance, it would look like you've got air in the lines somewhere.

Sssnake

Have you by chance upgraded your sway bars and gone to headers? If so check your sway bar clearance against the shocks and the header clearance against the steering shaft.

CTSVGuy001

OK I'm going to check all of that and get back to you guys. Thanks for the help and info.

CTSVGuy001

I do have LT's but there is a lot of clearence with the steering shaft. There are no leaks. A mechanic buddy of mine said that the filter in the PS pump is clogged. When you turn the wheels all the way to one side or another the PS lines jump. He says that since that filter is clogged it's causing those lines to move. Any thoughts?

CTSVGuy001

The power steering fluid is also very dark.

CTSVGuy001

Anyone? Anything?

isis

iTrader: (1)

Power steering fluid is always dark. Turns black pretty much the day after it gets changed.

CTSVGuy001

Fair enough. Does anyone think a flush would do it? Or maybe changing a filter? These do have power steering filters right?

heavymetals

iTrader: (3)

Put the front end in the air and see if it is difficult to turn the steering wheel lock to lock (motor running).

Could be alignment if no problem.

CTSVGuy001

It was easy but I recently had an alignment done and inspected and it was all good to go. Anymore ideas anyone?

CTSVGuy001

Well, if anyone cares, I'm pretty sure it's the rack and pinion. If it was the pump it'd be hard steering either way and also the same for a bad filter. All I can think of at this point is the rack and pinion. I know we have power assisted steering on the V's. Are there any sensors or anything else that would cause hard steering in only one direction?

isis

iTrader: (1)

Did you crawl under and look? I think when the rack fails PS fluid ends up leaking out the boot on that side. Shouldn't be too hard to see. If u pull a wheel you can see the topside too.

ls1247

iTrader: (2)

There's a rotary valve in the rack that's actuated by the steering shaft. If the valve fails, seals blow, breaks, get stuck whatever, it can shut off fluid flow to one side of the rack, causing your problems.

CTSVGuy001

LS1247 that's the same thing I was thinking. Nothing else explains why I get hard steering one in direction. The pump and the filter would cause both sides. Other than that I don't see what else the issue could be.

Isis I did check under the car and nothing seemed to be leaking or anything else. At this point I'm thinking it's the rack. I don't get why it decided to 86 it but oh well I gotta fix it. If anyone else wants to chime in please feel free I'm open to all ideas. Thanks.

CTSVGuy001

I'm going to get a flush done and take it from there. I'll get back to you guys.

CTSVGuy001

Quick question, does anyone else feel a click in their steering wheel? When I first got my V I noticed a click in the steering wheel when I would turn it. Ever since I lost my power steering when turning left I haven't felt that click anymore.

CTSVGuy001

I found an aftermarket reman rack for $187 shipped. Is that a good idea?

ls1247

iTrader: (2)

You may want to do a search on this. There have been some issues with aftermarket rebuilds because it appears IIRC that the CTS racks and the V racks are different in some ways and the re-builders may not have picked up on it.

good luck

CTSVGuy001

Here is the listing on eBay. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Detroit-Axle-Complete-Power-Steering-Rack-and-Pinion-Assembly-with-Sensor-Port-/160543926656?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Model%3ACTS%7CSubmodel%3AV&hash=item256129e980&vxp=mtr#ht_1735wt_1181
The only difference I saw was that some racks have the sensor and some racks don't. As far as I can tell we need the racks that do have the sensor. Are there any other differences in these racks that anyone else knows about?