Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting Steering is heavy just on either side of center

The best way I can describe the problem is as follows:

When turning the steering wheel, (only about 4 inches either way of center) it feels like there is something resisting the steering wheel lightly and then lets go. Beyond the 4 inches there is nothing else.

Imagine the Wheel of Fortune wheel, only there is one peg 4 inches on either side of the wheel when its centered. When I turn, the flapper starts to resist against the peg and then lets go...

Didn't have a chance to look under the vehicle, and wouldn't know what to look for if I did..

No wheel clunking, no abnormal noises, only this bit of resistance. This happens both when standing still and when driving. The ride is still great, the steering still responds well..

Insights would be welcome.


Also... the power steering fluid smells burnt when I open the reservoir cap. Should I replace? (Saw syphon method elsewhere in this forum)

Ive seen this before from lack of grease to the ball joints, dryed up or worn out. If you turn while moving and the wheel goes past the resistance point and does not return on its own then you might want to look at your ball joints to be sure they are not worn out or lack grease. Short of that you could have a rack or power steering fluid issues.

Condition:

Heavy Steering efforts while turning, or during parking manouvers.


Possible Source(s):
�?§ Low power steering pump fluid.

Action(s) to take:
�?§ FILL to the specified level. PURGE the system of air. REFER to System Bleeding - Power Steering in this Section.

Possible Source(s):
�?§ Steering gear assembly external or internal leak.

Action(s) to take:
�?§ FILL to the specified level. PURGE the system of air. REFER to System Bleeding - Power Steering in this Section.

Possible Source(s):
�?§ Power steering pump external leak.

Action(s) to take:
�?§ REFER to External Leak in General Procedures.

Possible Source(s):
�?§ Incorrect belt tension.

Action(s) to take:
�?§ CHECK belt tension/tensioner. For additional information, refer to �?«Section 303-05�?».

Possible Source(s):
�?§ Hose or cooler external leak.

Action(s) to take:
�?§ REPAIR/INSTALL a new hose or cooler as necessary.

Possible Source(s):
�?§ Incorrect engine idle speed.

Action(s) to take:
�?§ CHECK PSP switch. REFER to the PC/ED manual.

Possible Source(s):
�?§ Power steering pump pulley loose or warped.

Action(s) to take:
�?§ INSTALL a new power steering pump pulley. For additional information, refer to �?«Section 211-02�?».

Possible Source(s):
�?§ Power steering pump flow/pressure not to specification.

Action(s) to take:
�?§ REFER to Pump Flow and Pressure Test in this Section.

Possible Source(s):
�?§ Hose or cooler line restriction.

Action(s) to take:
�?§ CLEAN or INSTALL new components as necessary.

Possible Source(s):
�?§ Fluid contamination.

Action(s) to take:
�?§ INSPECT system for foreign objects, contamination.
���?� FLUSH system.

Possible Source(s):
�?§ Fluid aeration.

Action(s) to take:
�?§ REFER to System Bleeding - Power Steering in this Section.


Ray

Lol i love how ray comes in here and lists every possible problem and answer. Ray your awsome!

Not awesome... armed..


Via FordFactory CD.

and nearly 5 years of CEG collective wisdom.

Listing every possibility is not meant to overwhelm, merely to envelope the possible prblem. Most of your possible sources can be remedied via fluid flush and fill. That will eleminate most of the causes on this list, and leave you with the more expensive and time demanding ones.

Ray