intermittent power steering

[ChRoNiCPhAnToM]

so i recently been having problems with my power steering, it started cutting in and out for about 3 days then it completely died.... so i noticed that the fluid was not circulating as usual so i assumed it was the pump going out... i changed it and to my surprise nothing .... same problem... now all of a sudden i go to start the car and the wheel turns itself to the right as the car is turning over...sometimes its easy to turn and it alternates on sides that it is easy to turn too.. anyone experience this problem??? hope i don't have to change the whole rack out.. BTW no fluids leak belt is fine and resevior is full.

[accordztech]

does it moan?

Do you see air bubbles in the resavor when its running?

[mtnbikaah]

Sounds like a bad rack.

[batever]

There are valves in the power steering rack that direct fluid to the appropriate side based on steering input and speed--something is up with those, or something is up with the thingie that feeds into it that detects steering direction, or both. I'm sure you could just diagnose and fix it or them instead of replacing the whole rack.

[ChRoNiCPhAnToM]

nope no bubbles at all its not circulating at all (the fluid) and no, no noise (moan)... @ batever i assume the same thing I'm hoping someone else has had this problem and can give me a heads up on what to change out instead of the whole rack

[batever]

nope no bubbles at all its not circulating at all (the fluid) and no, no noise (moan)... @ batever i assume the same thing I'm hoping someone else has had this problem and can give me a heads up on what to change out instead of the whole rack

well the Helm manual shows all those valves and such. I'll try and post something up.

I would take the power steering belt off in the meantime if it were me....so I'd know what the steering input was going to be (nothing) instead of occasionally getting assist out of the blue.

[accordztech]

My dads cb7 got super stiff. More stiff than having no power steering. You had to put muscle into it just to turn it. It was a bad rack.

[ChRoNiCPhAnToM]

thats what it feels like.. ive driven cars with no power steering but this is ridiculous. hard as f*ck to turn right and easier to turn left slow or dead stop.

[accordztech]

yeah, ours was the rack. It was stupid stiff. It had no bubbles in the resavor or moaning.

[batever]

thats what it feels like.. ive driven cars with no power steering but this is ridiculous. hard as f*ck to turn right and easier to turn left slow or dead stop.

there you go, the valve that regulates and directs hydraulic flow to the right is messed up, OR the direction sensor mechanism isn't reading a right turn of the steering wheel correctly.

Whether parts are available for that is something to ask at the Honda dealership.
You really want to pull a diagram of the power steering system up .

From the diagnostic chart in the Helm:

Hard steering assist in one direction only
remove 4-way valve and check pinion pin for free movement. If ok check the 4-way valve for free movement. Repair or replace.

chekcing 4 way valve for free movement

well this is pretty involved.

I'd price out a new 4 way valve as a start.

pics to come.