97 lumina- steering not working

Question

The steering suddenly stopped working- well mostly. Turning the steering wheel full left or full right results in the wheels barely turning.

My Haynes book is pretty silent on the subject. I'm thinking steering gear?

What do the experts think?

Thanks

Answer 1

sounds like ya have a stripped spline or joint in the linkage, if not that... some real bad internal problems with the rack. Look over the linkage from the column to the rack, have an assistant try to urn it while you look, if the linkage is ok... replace the rack and pinion.

Answer 2

Your steering wheel is loose.  

Answer 3

I can only think the column is internally broken, the rack is internally broken, or the joint between them is loose or broken. You state turning the steering wheel "full left or full right" barely turns the wheels. This tells me the rack is hooked to the column and stopping the steering wheel at full lock. Could it be that the fastening bolts that hold the rack to the stub are missing or the rack or its mounts on the stub are broken off? It is a little hard to guess without seeing the car. Interesting failure I've not seen one like it on a W body car that wasn't in a heavy collision.

Answer 4

pump low of fluid  belt is loose ... i think it wouldnt be the steering gear.

Answer 5

1.  Belt is broken or badly glazed

2.  Out of power steering fluid

3.  Pump is bad.