Hydraulic pump or Steering Rack problem?

[Alex Kowalski]

Maybe neither.  Is it the same in both left and right-hand turns?  To me it sounds like a brake that's dragging when one side of the car is loaded, and that leads me to think maybe there's a wheel bearing involved.  

Try taking the car on an open parking lot and seeing if there's a difference left-right.  Shut off all the ancillaries and listen closely as you transition from straight ahead, left to right.  Apply brakes while turning, then let off and tell us what you feel and hear.

Cheers,
Alex Kowalski
'87 5KCSTQ

>From Michael.Stricker at gd-ais.com  Mon Feb 14 08:03:33 2005
>From: Michael.Stricker at gd-ais.com (Michael.Stricker at gd-ais.com)
>Date: Mon Feb 14 08:03:34 2005
>Subject: Hydraulic pump or Steering Rack problem?
>Message-ID: ><FF9C65D0CBF64B49B33BD1E4B52F00DC04030528 at psfex01.ad.gd-ais.com>
>
>Hi,
>
>The problem is with my 1988 5ktq.  I began noticing a pulsation in the
>steering wheel when I make turns and it feels a bit more "sluggish".  There
>does still seem to be some power assist and the brakes work fine and pass
>the bomb tests.  There doesn't appear to be any leaking going on.  I've
>never experienced a bad pump or rack so I am not sure if the symptoms point
>to the pump, which I suspect, or a bad rack.
>
>
>Thanks in advance for your suggestions.
>
>Mike
>1988 5ktq wagon