[szale9001]

Ok so I'm gonna do my best to describe this, but basically here is the prob: When I first turn on my car (and am sitting still) the power steering works great, I can hear it when I turn the wheel and it turns great. However by the middle of a 20 minute trip, the power steering (again when sitting still) is all but non existent. I don't get it, If I am moving even the slightest bit its not that bad but sitting still it is like this power steering is off. I just had it in the shop and my serp belt was changed and there are no leaks I can see. So I was wondering, what could this possibly be?

[filluptrk]

Just a guess but have you tried to see inside the reservoir to see if it is full of bubbles. If for some reason there is aeration in the fluid it might account for it. Or it could be a weak pump. When cold the fluid is thicker, when hot thin and a weak pump at idle might do this. Phil

[szale9001]

i think you might be right with the weak pump, it was having trouble working today in the heat. I guess what I wanna know is if I can't get the pump changed (for monetary reasons) will this affect the other parts of the car. For example if I don;t get the steering fixed will A, B, and C break. I was thinking it wouldn't but I need to be sure (again for monetary reason).

[filluptrk]

It will cause a strain on the steering gear only because the setup is not designed like the old non power units, so low power will make it work harder than with proper power assist. I would worry about safety. If you were in a position where you were going very slowly and suddenly had to swerve quickly that sluggish pump might put you in a real bind getting that wheel turned quickly enough. Phil