I have a 1986 Chevy Celebrity w/2.8 carb. engine. It has 70,000 original miles. When it is cold, 40 degrees or lower, the steering is hard to turn until it warms up. If it is warm outside it steers OK. The belt is tight on power steering pump & fluid level OK. There are no noises comming fr…

They will say to replace the rack. They are probably right. Even the older Chevies used to do that. I had a short drive to the road so I would gently move the steering wheel back and forth on the way to the road and it would clear up.

This is a well known problem with GM’s of that vintage. It’s called Morning Sickness. And all that can be done is replace the rack & pinion assembly. Tester

Before dumping big bucks on a new steering rack, replace the power steering fluid. It may not help, but it’s worth a shot. That fluid is probably the original and is now over 20 years old. Check the owner’s manual for the proper fluid type.

Agreed that it is a common problem with GM cars from that era. I had the same problem in an '84 Buick. I’m surprised your car performed so well for so long. The seals are starting to give way. You can fix it by replacing the rack at mammoth expense, more than the book value of your car, or simply l…

I suggest changing the power steering fluid. Use the type of fluid recommended by Chevy. It’s in your Owner’s Manual. Some older GMs said it’s O.K. to use a specific type of auto trans. fluid. Other GMs require Power Steering fluid. Use the correct fluid type. It will make a difference, especially i…

The “0” rings shrink when cold, the only known fix is replace the rack. If it was a car down south, nobody would complain.

I also suggest that while you’re at it, check all of your brake lines for leaks and/or corrosion. Pay special attention to the rubber hoses at each wheel. Check for age-related cracking of the outer casing. While you’re at each wheel, a little squirt of ‘rust buster’ like Knock-'Er-Loose on the blee…

It has a 2 Bbl. carb. What is different in a new steering rack ? maybe different type of O Rings…

The new steering rack will have stainless steel sleeves inserted in the bores where the seals come in contact. In the original rack, the seals are in contact with the racks casted material. Over time as the seals ride back and forth it wears away the casted material. This results in gaps between the…

Power Steering hard to steer when cold outside

Maintenance/Repairs

fordman March 19, 2008, 4:24am 7

I was thinking about replacing the fluid & now it sounds like a good thing to try. I have only had 2 Chevys in the past 36 years. The other one was a 57 wagon back in 71. This one was bought last fall from a friend who gave up driving because of age. The price was right & only 68,000 miles on it. It was only used in the summer months and has not seen snow until this year. fordman

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Power Steering hard to steer when cold outside

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