what a nightmare ............

YALEROYNOT · 09-05-2008, 12:32 AM

after two nights till 10pm in the drive way working on the car. I thought I was done I put a 180 thermostat in fixed the power steering pump, drained flushed and refilled with real anti-freeze. I couldn't stop it from getting really hot. I figured this was cuz of the air in the system. So on the last test drive tonight I turned my steering wheel in a parking lot and it stopped. I heard a crunch then it worked again. hmmm? I jacked it up and saw power steering fluid from the driverside of the rack. what could this be ? steering arm broke ? well guess I know how i am going to spend my weekend

N1ck3r · 09-05-2008, 12:53 AM

Ouch, that sucks. Hope you have a little better luck this weekend!

Ryan from Ohio · 09-05-2008, 08:04 AM

Either a hose broke or the rack went.

Hope its a hose.

Either way its a HUGE pita to do. In my Beretta I had to pull the power brake collector thing off the firewall and loosen the PS rack.

zzyzzx · 09-05-2008, 09:13 AM

I'd be inspecting the high pressure power steerring hose. If it is this hose it's probably only leaking when you turn the steering wheel, so you need someone to turn the wheel while you are watching for the leak. In my 1985 Escort I was able to pop open the hood, roll down the window and turn the steering wheel from the outside of the car (with the car running) and see the leak happen, but it's my guess that this won't work for most cars and that you'll need 2 people. It's common to replace the high pressure power steering hose on an old, high mileage car.

zzyzzx · 09-05-2008, 09:14 AM

My answer isn't 3400 specific, it applies to all cars with hydraulic power steering (as in I think this thread needs to me moved).

YALEROYNOT · 09-05-2008, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zzyzzx

My answer isn't 3400 specific, it applies to all cars with hydraulic power steering (as in I think this thread needs to me moved).

sorry if I upset you and posted it in the wrong spot.

I swear it will never happen again.

anyway I think its the valving in the rack. getting a reman rack ($180) and putting it in hope to be done by sun night.

update :
I went out to look at the car to find this :

that is where the rack is supose to mount. so there will problely be a part out of the alero in the future.

the frame crossmember needs to be replaced fix it or part it out ?