Ok before we start. Yes, I've already searched and read the old threads. No they didn't help.


Anyways, I bought a track toy Z not too long ago and have been working on it the last couple weeks. I some parts and general maintenance oil, new rad ect ect.


I last remember test driving it when I first got it and the steering was semi stiff but not bad. Last weekend I disconnected the battery and turned the wheels for access into the back of the head light brackets to remove them.


The next day I took it for a test spin. The steering IS IMPOSSIBLY heavy. Just as heavy as it was with the car off and battery disconnected... I don't remember it being this heavy the first test drive. But to its credit I wasn't exactly focusing on the steering feel the first drive.


Did I screw up the pump or motor by turning the wheel with the power off??


And before you answer. If you don't know please don't post an "answer". I don't mind convo, brainstorming and helping. But many of the other threads about the steering issue are dead wrong and ruined by people who haven't a clue what they are suggesting but pulling answers out of the blue just to answer.


For 1 its not because the car is FR.
- Every car I've owned is FR and none have been this heavy. At least with the car turned on.


Second, Its not because of the "wide" sport wheels..
- My GT had 18x9" wheels and was no where near as heavy as this to turn. Again unless the car/power steering was off.


So, did I screw up my steering? Like I said it is equivalent to trying to steer the car with the car off. Literally 0 power steering unless I'm rolling 5 MPH +. I don't remember this being an issue until just this weekend. Where I turned the wheels with the power off.

 

Do you have flyid in the power steering resavoir? is your pump working? The fuse blown? Check the basic

 

Last I checked but Ill look again tonight. Ill check. And Ill check. Do you know what fuse (Fuse map wise)? I can probably find it. Just wondering if you have it on hand or handy to save me some time.




I was just wondering before I looked and wasted time if on the Z for some reason turning the wheel with dead power would damage anything. Never owned a car with the "speed assist steering" or what ever steering I read the the Z has.

 

I seriously doubt there is a fuse for the power steering. Fuses are only used in electrical circuits and to my knowledge, there are no electric circuits involved in the operation of the power steering.

 

Isn't the 05 350 electronically power assisted?

 

No. The reservoir is on the right front of the engine bay. Also check air pressure in the tires.

 

All Z33 models use hydraulic power steering for better feedback.

 

And they do have electrical sensors on them. If you get a power steering fault, it trips a CEL. I remember a person having a problem with smog/state inspection because of a power steering cEL

 

Yup reservoir is 1/4 full. Looks like I took one of the lines off when I replaced the core support. Thought that was an oil cooler. Not a steering cooler. Derp.

Glad I didn't fill it with oil.

 

There is a cooler for the PS system. Be sure to refill with Dexron VI fluid only.

 

I turn people's steering wheels all the time with the car not running. No damage has ever come from it...

However if the car is running and you continuously turn the wheel without moving you can cause damage. Ive had to bring some drivers ed cars to the shop more then once for messed up steering.

Your power steering sounds like it **** the bed.


O I can read durrrrrr... Glad you figured it out

 

Ok filled. Muchhhhh better steering! Wines a little now but it's back

But now I have a engine service soon light

Back to autozone I go lol

 

Running it low on fluid can damage the pump. The noise may go away.


Cel , what is the code