Power steering assist motor replacement problem

DANM562

MEMBER
2003 SATURN ION
2.2L
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
200,000 MILES

Ordered a replacement power steering assist motor for my daughter’s 2003 Saturn Ion which is having intermittent power steering failure. Got the exact part which every auto parts site says is the correct replacement unit. The new unit has a splined shaft with a shallow metal cup at the base. When I removed the existing unit, it had a completely smooth shaft that was flat on two opposing sides and did not have the cup at the base. Otherwise, they are completely identical. The new unit will not fit, due to the difference in the shaft. The old unit has a bar code sticker with the number 22716670 on it but attempts to Google this as a GM part have produced no results. Need to find out what the correct part number is for replacement.

1 Reply

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
48,356 POSTS

Yep, our manuals do not list a part number, but they do show how to change the steering motor out and, in the images, it shows the spline. You might have a production change car and the newer cars have a spine, can you tell me the production date, (sticker in the door) to confirm the issue? Here are the instructions in the diagrams below to show you what I am talking about. Check out the diagrams (below). Let us know what happens and please upload pictures or videos of the problem.

Images (Click to make bigger)