So last friday i go to start my car, it starts fine but as soon as it starts the wheels turn by theirself all the way to the right. i was parked on level ground and the car was cold(it was about 10 degrees out). It has never done this before and i have not been able to repeat the problem yet. The most recent repair to the PS system was the power steering speed sensor(had to replace it when i blew my trans), but that was about 3 months ago. Not sure if this is a one time thing or if it will develop into a problem, but it still leaves me wondering wtf? any ideas anybody?

 

One of the hydraulic seals leaked, creatinga feral power assist in one direction. I'd think it's likely to happen again, perhaps while you're driving (very likely), so may well be quite dangerous.

The leaking seal will (I think) be in the 'spool' valve, which is the valve that detects which way the driver is turning the steering wheel and providing assist in that direction. The spool valve is part of the steering rack assembly, located at the pinion end.

 

X2. Sounds like a flaky spool valve.

I really hate it when the car magically fixes itself. You never know what the problem was. More important, you never know when it WILL come back.

 

is it best to replace the entire valve, or can you just replace the seals?

 

Sorry, the spool valve is INSIDE the steering rack. Easiest way is to replace the rack.

You probably need some strange tools & fixtures to rebuild the rack. If you want to know about it, DL the Helm repair manual from one of those sitcky posts probably in the DIY section. I dont know if the spool valve can actually be repaired, or its just one of those components that justgets replaced as a unitwhen rebuilding a rack.

Its got some really tiny openings that move & direct hydraulic pressure into one side or the other of the hydraulic cylinder inside the rack. Possibly some dirt partially obstructed the openings, causingthe unbalanced pressure which you feel as the steering operating itself. Possibly the dirt just dislodged & went on its way, or maybe it caused some damage as it went.

 

ill wait and see if the problem repeats itself before i think about replacing the entire rack, esp since the roads are snow covered here and i hate working under a dripping wet car.