Speed-Sensitive Steering

[alone_and_insane]

I'm having trouble with the Speed Sensitive Steering on my '96. When I'm trying to do some kind of very low-speed parking maneuver, I have absolutely no help from the power steering. How can this be corrected? The pump has Dexron-VI in it, and I'm almost positive it has enough fluid (I haven't checked it recently, but it was full when I first was experiencing problems and I checked it).

[sman]

I wasnt aware our cars had it. My 99 does not, IIRC, it made its first common debut in the late 90's w-bodys. Theres just an actuator that goes in the side of the PS pump. Technical name would be "Magnasteer" iirc.


EDIT: I lied, magnasteer uses magnets in the rack to control firmness, it was never an option on our cars. So not sure what the wires going to some GM pumps could be, but there are none on mine, just remember my Monte Carlo had some, but it also had magnasteer, could be related to that. Also from what little I dug up, none of the various types of variable assist PS where ever availible on an fbody.

[prorac1]

FWIW, my 1997 SS dosent have it. But my 1997 K2500 suburban DOES have it................................................ .....when its working properly. Luckily mine is stuck on easy steer, so its all good, lol. Eric L

[DETROITMUSCLE]

I don't recall any f body cars having this option at all, are you sure the steering rack is any good?

[alone_and_insane]

I don't recall any f body cars having this option at all, are you sure the steering rack is any good?

I feel like the steering would ALWAYS be unbearable if the rack was bad, wouldn't it? And when I was at the shop and mentioned something about the power steering, he looked it up and said that the '96s were equipped with the Speed-Sensitive Steering.

[DETROITMUSCLE]

no idea but to me if the power steering is bad the car is going to be easier to turn at speed as opposed to in a parking lot.

[prorac1]

They can go either way. They can be hard to turn at any speed, or, like my suburban, REAL EASY to turn all the time. It can be a dangerous problem if it comes and goes at highway speed. Ive driven them like that. You go into a curve and turn the wheel and all of a sudden it cuts loose and you over steer. It can get scary. I dont think any 4th gen F bodies came with the option. If my 97SS dosent have it, i wouldnt think a 96 would. Eric L

[SSTODD]

I feel like the steering would ALWAYS be unbearable if the rack was bad, wouldn't it? And when I was at the shop and mentioned something about the power steering, he looked it up and said that the '96s were equipped with the Speed-Sensitive Steering.

My 2000 SS has had that feeling since new, like some slow turns the power steering is gone. I think the p.s. pump may be garbage, there is an aftermarket company with a pump and pulley in Michigan that sounds very good. TURN ONE maybe?