Power steering

[Xoloski]

OK, finally getting close to working on the '98 Sport Kick 1.8 / Auto   (corrected by kick)
Problem:
The power steering, when turning, binds and becomes hard to turn.  It's like the steering goes from power to manual steering for a quarter turn or so and then goes back.
It doesn't do this all the time, just occasionally, hot or cold. Only when turning while driving.
The fluid is full, smells a little burned and is a darker color than new fluid. 

Anybody else have this issue?

Thx

[fixkick]

98, for sure, and for sure J18 wide frame unique SIDEKICK, most body parts 100% alien to the older G16s, and many parts sold for this car will be wrong. engine code 2, is J18, and most stores are clueless as hell J18 cars even exist nor do they even ask .+
that is hard question, but check ball joints and struts and tie rods.

for sure a mechanical problem up front, and intermittent is more strange.

find suspension shop to check it out? is best, look for loose parts. upfront. (if part is real loose it can jam)
they will put it on a lift and float the front end and check for loose and binding parts. all parts up front checked.

the answer is all cars this old do that, if not serviced. and repaired at each failure. (not driving to death and 10 problems)

[Xoloski]

98,  for sure, no such car in 88,  unless stuffed into a Samurai.

that is  hard question,  but  check ball joints and struts and tie rods.

for sure a mechanical problem up front, and intermittent is more strange.

find  suspension shop to check it out? is best,  look for loose parts. upfront. (if part is real loose it can jam)
they will put  it on a lift and float the front end and check for loose and binding parts.  all parts up front checked.

 Thanks WB,
I will put it on a lift, release the pitman arm and inspect the entire system and post my findings.
For some reason I suspected a pump issue / pressure valve or switch issue and not a mechanical bind issue. 
and, you are right, this unit is a '98. My 1st sidekick is a '93 and my Samurai are 86 white, 86 blue, 91 black.
Xoloski

[fixkick]

98,  for sure, no such car in 88,  unless stuffed into a Samurai.

that is  hard question,  but  check ball joints and struts and tie rods.

for sure a mechanical problem up front, and intermittent is more strange.

find  suspension shop to check it out? is best,  look for loose parts. upfront. (if part is real loose it can jam)
they will put  it on a lift and float the front end and check for loose and binding parts.  all parts up front checked.

 Thanks WB,
I will put it on a lift, release the pitman arm and inspect the entire system and post my findings.
For some reason I suspected a pump issue / pressure valve or switch issue and not a mechanical bind issue. 
and, you are right, this unit is a '98. My 1st sidekick is a '93 and my Samurai are 86 white, 86 blue, 91 black.
Xoloski

[fixkick]

yes ,you could drop the PS belt and see if it steers normally , in pure manual mode.
but dang it has shared single serp belt, hard nut to diagnose  this.
also make sure the lube is exactly correct in the pump, PS, if wrong it can cavitates. (makes huge noise too) doing that.
 

j18,  4door 98.

[fixkick]

the PS switch just tells the ECU PS pump is overloaded and to increase idle RPM to 1000 from 800 hot. (so engine cant stall) steering at end point locked and forced by driver.

I hope it just a loose belt. or oil soaked, (cheap and easy fix)

[Xoloski]

After putting the truck up on the lift and then turning the wheel lock to lock with the engine running I noticed no balking, binding, hesitation, or noises. T
his leads me to believe the issue is with the original struts or strut mounts installed on the truck.
I bought a set of 4 struts and one back shock is leaking. I also bought front strut mounts.
I will replace the left outer CV joint while I am in there.
I'll flush the P/S system and put in new fluid.
I'll post results upon completion.

[fixkick]

lots of parts up front to fail. the cars are old.
CV, struts, balls joints, tie rod ends.
PS all parts.
even wheel bearings on this car love to fail for sure done wrong, not at 180ft lbs set. for sure.
finding it is not easy, 2 persons can help, one bouncing car and look for loose parts. (or noise)
also use a magic lever. try to flex all parts see if movement is not normal.
look for wheel bearing play over .001" 1 thou. if is , it is bad.


on my 91, the lower A arm day one, the bolt holding i ton was 1 tread from falling out. damn
what happens at 60MPH and the "A" arm fail, omg nasty results.
looking first always matters. look for wrong things and missing things and loose.

[fixkick]

I do not know what PS steering lube this car runs
my jeep if you put in ATF fluid the pump wrecks. and screams.
PS fluids can be very very tricky to get right, for sure say using JEEP fluid in this SIDEKICK.

the G16 car uses DEXTRON III or HIGHER# FLUID. (it is ATF)
do not use any other fluids, nor assume last owner did not, or omg mixed up to kinds of wrong fluid, use only this FLUID.
https://www.acksfaq.com/HTML/pdfs/96-FSM-v1-3b-1.pdf

[fixkick]

if you hear the pump whine, suspect fluid wrong.