Tight steering on a '99? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Zabo · 07-31-2009, 01:09 PM

Just test drove my possible future Fbody steed and noticed aside from the lolpowerwindowmotorgoingout thing that's common to these cars that the steering felt a bit tight. Much more so than my relatively loose Explorer. I'm wondering if it's the Powersteering motor/pump starting to kick out or if it's just the nature of the car.

I'll have a second opinion on the car if we do pick it up when my dad takes it for a spin after a long 20+ year absence from a camaro cockpit. Just wanted to get the word from the other owners out there as to what this could mean.

Blownhotrodder · 07-31-2009, 01:34 PM

What do you mean by tight? My 2000 has very touchy steering, by that I mean you have to put in very little input to change direction.

Zabo · 07-31-2009, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blownhotrodder

What do you mean by tight? My 2000 has very touchy steering, by that I mean you have to put in very little input to change direction.

Talked to Hylton and he has similar issues. It seems that the power steering motor is just old. Not that old, but yeah. Still drives fine, it's just sluggish. I'll replace it probably in Feb/March if I do get it as a post grad project along with the power window motors.

Super83Z · 07-31-2009, 05:51 PM

Does the steering wheel turn smoothly? Fords have exceptionally light steering. The 4th gen Camaros have more of a stronger resistance when turning the wheel. I noticed a difference in resistance going from a 245/55/16 to a 275/45/17 up front.

Zabo · 07-31-2009, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Super83Z

Does the steering wheel turn smoothly? Fords have exceptionally light steering. The 4th gen Camaros have more of a stronger resistance when turning the wheel. I noticed a difference in resistance going from a 245/55/16 to a 275/45/17 up front.

Yeah, it turned smoothly but was just..tight. Like someone was holding it while I turned it with one hand. 2 handed it was fine, felt like the Explorer, so may be I have to do some curls.

That could be it.. I'm just used to Ford steering.

I mean a symptom of a bad pump would be clunky steering, right?

Super83Z · 07-31-2009, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zabo

Yeah, it turned smoothly but was just..tight. Like someone was holding it while I turned it with one hand. 2 handed it was fine, felt like the Explorer, so may be I have to do some curls.

That could be it.. I'm just used to Ford steering.

I mean a symptom of a bad pump would be clunky steering, right?

I'm not saying that the pump is def not the problem, but usually there isn't a middle ground with a PS pump. Usually it works or doesn't, or it spews fluid or it doesn't.

Zabo · 07-31-2009, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Super83Z

I'm not saying that the pump is def not the problem, but usually there isn't a middle ground with a PS pump. Usually it works or doesn't, or it spews fluid or it doesn't.

So no warning, just.. no steering one morning and PS fluid-puke on the ground under the car.

Super83Z · 08-01-2009, 12:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zabo

So no warning, just.. no steering one morning and PS fluid-puke on the ground under the car.

Well usually its leaking and making ungodly noises long before it stops working. Thats usually when it gets changed out.

Zabo · 08-01-2009, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Super83Z

Well usually its leaking and making ungodly noises long before it stops working. Thats usually when it gets changed out.

Oh.. well that's about $200.00-4K that I'm going to be saving on the car in the long run. Not a drop under it when I moved it and parked it.

07-31-2009, 01:09 PM	#1
Zabo Gunning for Sixth Drives: '03 ZR2 Blazer Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Woodhaven, Michigan Posts: 9,358 View My Garage	Tight steering on a '99? Just test drove my possible future Fbody steed and noticed aside from the lolpowerwindowmotorgoingout thing that's common to these cars that the steering felt a bit tight. Much more so than my relatively loose Explorer. I'm wondering if it's the Powersteering motor/pump starting to kick out or if it's just the nature of the car. I'll have a second opinion on the car if we do pick it up when my dad takes it for a spin after a long 20+ year absence from a camaro cockpit. Just wanted to get the word from the other owners out there as to what this could mean.

07-31-2009, 05:51 PM	#4
Super83Z Drives: 1999 Z28 1983 Z28 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: City of Champions,MA Posts: 615 View My Garage	Does the steering wheel turn smoothly? Fords have exceptionally light steering. The 4th gen Camaros have more of a stronger resistance when turning the wheel. I noticed a difference in resistance going from a 245/55/16 to a 275/45/17 up front. __________________ Current cars: 99 Z28 06 Silverado 14 Silverado

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07-31-2009, 01:34 PM	#2
Blownhotrodder Drives: 2018 ZL1 1LE Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Clarkesville , GEORGIA Posts: 1,857	What do you mean by tight? My 2000 has very touchy steering, by that I mean you have to put in very little input to change direction.