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Old May 24, 2021 | 12:14 PM
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Hi, Just got my new to me 02 WS6 trans am. Never had one before. I noticed the steering feels tight when turning the wheels when not moving. Is this normal? I checked the fluids and all looks good. Once moving steering is fine. Car has low mileage and all original.

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Joe
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Old May 24, 2021 | 06:00 PM
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It can be a little more difficult but not really. The power steering fluid in our cars needs to be changed out regularly. If no records or history with your car, perhaps change it out. One easy way to do it yourself is to get a turkey baster and remove the fluid carefuly so it doesn't spill on engine parts. Put in fresh to the cold mark and go for a short drive making sure you turn the wheel full in each direction. Go home and repeat the process and fill it again. You should be good to go and for very little $$$$. i've been doing that trick for 20 years now. No issues.
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Old May 24, 2021 | 06:30 PM
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Thanks for the input. It may very well be as old as the car. Would not think it would make a difference but worth a try.

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Joe
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Old May 26, 2021 | 03:40 AM
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have you gotten rid of the stock P/S cooler yet? like as in ....yesterday !!!
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Old May 26, 2021 | 08:36 AM
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Steering will feel heavier at idle, especially with grippy tires. I think flow control begins at 1500 rpm pump speed, so anything below that will have less power assist. Use full synthetic fluid and upgrade intercooler if reservoir temperature ever exceeds 275F.
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Old May 26, 2021 | 11:36 AM
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Thank you for the reply's. I have not changed the ps cooler. Car is all original and hate to make that change if not needed. Took it for tires today (still had the originals) and steering was not an issue. It may be just me comparing to other non performance cars. I will change the power steering fluid however and brake fluid so I know what has been done.

Joe
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Old May 26, 2021 | 01:56 PM
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I can understand wanting to keep the car original....but when that cooler starts leaking.....and its not a question of if....just a question of when....you will have to deal with alot of mess with the cleanup and new parts.....ask me how i know
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Old May 26, 2021 | 04:10 PM
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Originally Posted by joedee
Car is all original and hate to make that change if not needed. Took it for tires today (still had the originals) and steering was not an issue.
Oh, no. You bought one of those....

Cars require maintenance to stay in tip top shape. People that are obsessed with keeping a car original have a shiny car that's dying on the inside. Take care of it mechanically and it will be a better car.

P.S., I agree, Don't rush out and replace a P/S cooler just because some guy on the internet had one leak.
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Old May 26, 2021 | 04:50 PM
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Originally Posted by sjsingle1
I can understand wanting to keep the car original....but when that cooler starts leaking.....and its not a question of if....just a question of when....you will have to deal with alot of mess with the cleanup and new parts.....ask me how i know
I think that happens in Texas because of the heat Smile. Here is Wi and where the car came from in Indiana we don't get that hot. I will keep an eye on the fluids just in case.

Joe
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Old May 26, 2021 | 05:00 PM
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Originally Posted by QwkTrip
Oh, no. You bought one of those....

Cars require maintenance to stay in tip top shape. People that are obsessed with keeping a car original have a shiny car that's dying on the inside. Take care of it mechanically and it will be a better car.

P.S., I agree, Don't rush out and replace a P/S cooler just because some guy on the internet had one leak.
Car has been taken care of. Was owned by a collector who even changed the oil . I will be driving it on nice days so it will get some use. If anything I am overly careful when it comes to taking care of cars. It will spend the Wi winter in a car bubble and come spring it will be back on the road for more car shows and fun. Here is a picture of it.



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Old May 26, 2021 | 05:22 PM
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^^^^ SWEET!!!!
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Old May 30, 2021 | 02:27 PM
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Originally Posted by NC01TA
It can be a little more difficult but not really. The power steering fluid in our cars needs to be changed out regularly. If no records or history with your car, perhaps change it out. One easy way to do it yourself is to get a turkey baster and remove the fluid carefuly so it doesn't spill on engine parts. Put in fresh to the cold mark and go for a short drive making sure you turn the wheel full in each direction. Go home and repeat the process and fill it again. You should be good to go and for very little $$$$. i've been doing that trick for 20 years now. No issues.
I changed the power steering fluid today. It was a darker brown color. After the change it did feel better.

Thank you,
Joe
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Old May 31, 2021 | 07:55 AM
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Thanks for the update. Glad it helped a bit. It needed to be changed regardless since it was obviously old stuff in there.
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