1999 Mercury Sable Power Steering Problem

1999 MERCURY SABLE
70,000 MILES • 6 CYL • FWD • AUTOMATIC
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JAYMASTAHFLEXX
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I own a 1999 Mercury Sable 6 cyl Auto. I am having problems with my power steering in which it is not working at all when I turn to the left, requiring a lot of force, and working only half when turning to the right. Its onset occured over a couple of days getting a bit worse as time went on. What problems could I be having?
Apr 7, 2011 at 1:11 AM
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FIXITMR
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make sure the belt is not slipping.(pump wheel stops,belt keeps goin)
Apr 7, 2011 at 1:29 AM
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CARADIODOC
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Slipping belt CAN do that but if it is harder in one direction than the other, that suggests internal leakage in the rack and pinion assembly. The clue is the power assist will get better over a few minutes as the fluid warms up. Remanufactured rack assemblies have stainless steel liners installed to prevent that wear from taking place. The original housing was made from soft aluminum, and the teflon seals wear grooves into that aluminum. That's where the internal fluid leakage takes place.
Apr 7, 2011 at 3:57 AM
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