Variable Power Steering Issue

[The06LJ]

Back in August I made a post about rebuilding the OEM power steering box on my 06 (not a fun job). I ended that post by saying next time I had a power steering problem I was just going to wild on the PSC website, but the issue I'm experiencing now is all new to me, and confusing, and I actually do hate loading the parts cannon to solve problems. So, the symptoms are that steering effort feels very variable. It does not appear to be related to engine RPM, there are no leaks, there is no noise, and my belt, tensioner and alternator were all replaced recently. I have no cooling issues, AC issues, or charging issues, and when the belt was off the pulley seemed fine. There are 2 wildcards in this scenario too: 1) I rebuilt the box myself. did I fuck it up? maybe, it was complicated and a bitch to do. 2) Not long after the rebuild, I had a low speed (5 mph?) "accident" which resulted in my front tires getting wedged between a curb and the bumper of an econobox. The Jeep immediately went up on an alignment rack where no damage could be found, and the toe was unchanged from my last alignment. only correction made was to straighten the steering wheel. I can’t explain that.



So does anyone have a guess? Because before I go spend $3k on a full steering system I don’t really need, I would like to have some idea on what went wrong. Did I fuck up the box in the rebuild? Did the accident damage the box? Is the pump just failing because it’s old? Anyone have any guesses? Have you ever seen a pump fail like this?

 

[mrblaine]

Back in August I made a post about rebuilding the OEM power steering box on my 06 (not a fun job). I ended that post by saying next time I had a power steering problem I was just going to wild on the PSC website, but the issue I'm experiencing now is all new to me, and confusing, and I actually do hate loading the parts cannon to solve problems. So, the symptoms are that steering effort feels very variable. It does not appear to be related to engine RPM, there are no leaks, there is no noise, and my belt, tensioner and alternator were all replaced recently. I have no cooling issues, AC issues, or charging issues, and when the belt was off the pulley seemed fine. There are 2 wildcards in this scenario too: 1) I rebuilt the box myself. did I fuck it up? maybe, it was complicated and a bitch to do. 2) Not long after the rebuild, I had a low speed (5 mph?) "accident" which resulted in my front tires getting wedged between a curb and the bumper of an econobox. The Jeep immediately went up on an alignment rack where no damage could be found, and the toe was unchanged from my last alignment. only correction made was to straighten the steering wheel. I can’t explain that.



So does anyone have a guess? Because before I go spend $3k on a full steering system I don’t really need, I would like to have some idea on what went wrong. Did I fuck up the box in the rebuild? Did the accident damage the box? Is the pump just failing because it’s old? Anyone have any guesses? Have you ever seen a pump fail like this?

Let me guess? The system feels relatively smooth and even until you get to certain spots and then it feels like it sorta binds up and takes more effort to turn until you get past that spot? If that is reasonably accurate, there is a high likelihood that the accident pushed a tooth or teeth over sideways a little bit and the lash is off in that area causing a variable steering feel or effort.

 

[The06LJ]

That sounds like it. Thank you!

Now while I was (apparently) able to rebuild the box, I dont have a great understanding of how it works. Is what you described a fixable problem? Or do I need a new box?

 

[mrblaine]

That sounds like it. Thank you!

Now while I was (apparently) able to rebuild the box, I dont have a great understanding of how it works. Is what you described a fixable problem? Or do I need a new box?

Yes, it is fixable. All you have to do is figure it if the piston, the sector gear, or both is the problem and replace.

 

[The06LJ]

So that means the box needs to come apart again, and I need to find parts. I may end up just doing an upgrade rather than doing that again

 

[mrblaine]

So that means the box needs to come apart again, and I need to find parts. I may end up just doing an upgrade rather than doing that again

Yes, if that is actually the problem. I'm not turning the steering wheel back and forth so I can only speculate based on your description.

 

[The06LJ]

Yes, if that is actually the problem. I'm not turning the steering wheel back and forth so I can only speculate based on your description.

iIn your opinion, is there a danger of of there being debris or damage inside the box that could cause it to suddenly seize up? Because that really seems like a worst case scenario that could easily kill me and/or others if it happened at the wrong time.

 

[mrblaine]

iIn your opinion, is there a danger of of there being debris or damage inside the box that could cause it to suddenly seize up? Because that really seems like a worst case scenario that could easily kill me and/or others if it happened at the wrong time.

No idea. All I know is I wouldn't drive it until I knew exactly what is going on.

 

[The06LJ]

No idea. All I know is I wouldn't drive it until I knew exactly what is going on.

Well that is scary. OK, guess I need to order a box ASAP. Thank you.

 

[mrblaine]

Well that is scary. OK, guess I need to order a box ASAP. Thank you.

If a tooth or teeth is pushed over to one side, are there fragments, is it about to break? We know nothing except it has a tight spot. It should not have a tight spot and the accident points to a possible cause. That's all we know and I know that I don't want a tooth to finish breaking off while I'm driving.