2001 Grand Am Steering

KCDREAMER

MEMBER
2001 PONTIAC GRAND AM
6 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
95,000 MILES

My son owns a 2001 Grand AM 6cyl. His steering is having a problem. It has suddenly become very loose and he has to have his steering wheel turned about 90 degrees to go straight when he turns there is a kind of a dead zone where the car doesn't respond until the wheel goes way over and then it turns fine. I have never seem anything like this before what could it be?

I tried to submit this with a donation but the site would not process my card

3 Replies

SATURNTECH9

MECHANIC
30,869 POSTS

If the steering didn't get any harder it's not the pump. Sound's like a bad rack and pion. What kind card did you try to make a donation with?

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Wednesday, January 5th, 2011 AT 1:28 AM

KCDREAMER

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Thanks for the quick reply - It was my MasterCard - I have never replaced a rack and pion before is it difficult?

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Wednesday, January 5th, 2011 AT 1:38 AM

SATURNTECH9

MECHANIC
30,869 POSTS

It's not hard on your car if your good with working on car's then you shouldn't have a problem doing it. Before you change it just make sure that little steering shaft in the diagram is moving the one that attaches to your steering column. If it is and the wheel's aren't and there isn't a bunch of play in your tie rod's you have a bad rack and pion. You will need a alignment after replacing that.
Removal Procedure

1. Raise the vehicle on a hoist. Refer to Vehicle Lifting.
2. Remove the tire and wheel assemblies.
3. Remove the stabilizer shaft links from the control arms. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement.
4. Remove the tie rod ends from the steering knuckle. Refer to Tie Rod End Replacement- Outer.
5. Remove the intermediate shaft lower pinch bolt (1) from the power steering gear (2).

6. Remove the stabilizer shaft. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Replacement.
7. Remove the power steering hoses from the from the power steering gear. Refer to the following procedures:

o Power Steering Pressure Hose Replacement
o Power Steering Return Hose Replacement.

8. Remove the power steering gear bolts (2) from the frame (3).
9. Remove the power steering gear (1) through the left wheel opening.

Installation Procedure

1. Position the power steering gear (1) on the vehicle.

Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in Service Precautions.

2. Install the power steering gear mounting bolts (2) to the frame (3). Tighten

Tighten the bolts to 110 Nm (81 ft. Lbs.).

3. Install the power steering hoses to the power steering gear. Refer to the following procedures:

o Power Steering Pressure Hose Replacement
o Power Steering Return Hose Replacement.

4. Install the stabilizer shaft. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Replacement.

5. Install the intermediate shaft lower pinch bolt to the power steering gear (2). Tighten

Tighten the mounting bolts to 20 Nm (15 ft. Lbs.).

6. Install the tie rod ends to the steering knuckle. Refer to Tie Rod End Replacement- Outer.
7. Install the stabilizer shaft links to the control arms. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement.
8. Install the tire and wheel assemblies.
9. Lower the vehicle.
10. Bleed the air from the power steering system.

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