Topic: 02 Chrysler Concorde Power Steering issue, Quick Q.

[aquadorhj]

My friend drives one of these..  I'm not entirely sure on the year, but it's 02 or thereabout.

The issue is, the power steering apparently works when turning in one direction, but not the other so my friend's spouse has hard time driving it.

I'm wondering what might be wrong.    If it works, say when turning left, but goes out when turning right, it couldn't be the pump or electric, could it?

Anybody has one of these, or have had same issue?

discuss.

PS. It's just for satisfying my personal curiosity, and not for any professional gain whatsoever.   and it's good to see some of the posts and old regular members. 

[mrthompson]

My father had a similar problem with an '87 Celebrity and IIRC it was the power steering rack failing.

[aquadorhj]

that would be pretty costly, no?

..i've never actually replaced, or even seen entire steering rack by itself before, but i can't imagine what might be wrong..

ah well.
Thanks for your input, eh.

[mrthompson]

I had to replace the PS rack on my '90 Topaz.  It was not exhibiting the symptoms of your friend's Concorde - it was leaking fluid badly. The PS rack, a ball joint, alignment, labour and taxes cost me around $750......10 years ago. 

[Squishy]

With the engine off and the front wheels in the air, is it still harder to turn in one direction than the other?  If so, it could be a mechanical part that has lost lubrication.  If both directions have equal resistance to turning, I would suspect the power steering rack.  Does your friend have a habit of turning the steering wheel against the stops while parking?  That degrades the fluid very quickly and may lead to problems.

[barrie1]

I would suspect the power steering rack as well which could have a bad bearing in it. Now they can rebuild these a lot cheaper then they did 10 years ago. The last one I was involved with was a older Buick which cost around $450. for a complete new rebuilt rack installed. Tell them of course to make sure the power steering pump is full of fluid as if its making any noise when she turns the wheel it will be the vane in it crying for fluid. Hope this helps somewhat.  

[Honda Owner]

Very common problem on all LH cars. Usually it will not turn left. The rack needs to be replaced. There are rebuilt racks for cheap but you will also have to replace many front end parts at this time, especially upper ball joints, which get cooked by the exhaust manifolds.