Power Steering

chromebumpers

solid fixture here in the forum
Staff member
What causes power steering to act normally until you brake to make a turn then it gives out?
 
low power steering fluid or slipping v-belt would be my first guess,
but a worn power steering pump , or hose that gets kinked could be at fault
and loose mount bolts on the power steering unit itself might be an issue
as could a loose pitman arm or suspension bushings


 
I checked all the common sense things first. So now onto things I normally don’t think of.

I always run through my extensive checklist PRIOR to any test drive. You would be surprised by some of the death traps I’ve seen for sale. One seller knew his pickup had a massive brake fluid leak, when filled you could have normal pedal feel one or two times touching it - then by golly, no brakes! Guess he thought it wouldn’t be noticed. The barn find that swapped flat tires for 4 other mounted tires from his junkyard of parts. Somehow this seller didn’t think taking a hammer to the wheel studs to knock off 3 of the 5 so the Ford wheels would fit this Chevelle would last the ride on the highway and be fine “I was going to mention what I did.” He said, only after the right rear flipped off while turning down the off ramp.
My favorite was the broken motor mounts test drive. As I needed to accelerate to pass a car on my right, the the throttle linkage stuck when the motor tilted upon stepping on it to pass - I wasn’t expecting that! This seller said - “O yeah, that hasn’t happened in a while!” :mad:

So now I check what ever is possible before I get the keys.
 
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