Looking at a 98 SE as a daily driver for either my dad or my girlfriend, depending on who wants the car. The car is pretty cherry other than this little issue and a set of tires. I can steer left just fine, but lose all assist when trying to steer right.

I am not sure if this means that it will need a new rack, pump, or any other component. Thoughts? Car is an hour away right now unfortunately.

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Jerry /// Past: 95 SSEi (June 2010 COTM) -- 04 GXP (July 2011 COTM)
91 Honda Civic Wagon DX 2WD (fuelly) -- 208,000km -- 92hp -- Autocross Warrior
09 Lexus LS460 AWD -- 94,000km -- Daily Driver
09 White Hot G8 GT -- 155,000km (fuelly) -- LS3 Cam -- GM LS3 CNC Ported Heads -- Kooks 1 3/4" Long Tube Headers -- Solo Catback Midsection -- Hooker Maxflow Mufflers -- Pat G Tune -- Rotofab Intake -- Tein S-Tech Springs -- GXP FE3 Dampers -- BMR Subframe Cradle Inserts -- BMR Subframe Connectors -- Forgestar F14 Gold 18x9 +40 -- Michelin Pilot Super Sport 245/45/18 -- Maverick Man Carbon Fiber Spoiler

After digging for a bit, it seems to be an issue with the 2000+ crowd once in a while, but haven't seen it mentioned for the '92 - '99 years. Looks to be a rack issue though.

viewtopic.php?f=18&t=30238&hilit=+power+steering+
viewtopic.php?f=18&t=26886&hilit=+power+steering+
viewtopic.php?f=18&t=25412&hilit=+power+steering+

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Ryan

2003 Bonneville SSEi - The Black Mirror SOLD!
2002 Bonneville SE - The Mutt Complete 2004 SLE interior, drivetrain, and body harness swap, ECC swap, HUD swap, black GXP wheels, GXP headlights and tinted tails - SOLD
2003 BMW 540i M Sport, 2001 BMW X5 4.4i, 2010 GMC Acadia, 2017 Grand Design Imagine 3150BH
1982 Cutlass Supreme - The fun one

Just had the same issue with my '97.

You need to replace the steering rack and I recommend to also replace the power steering pump at the same time.

Purchased a rebuilt rack from this seller:

http://shop.rackdoctor.net/BONNEVILLE_c324.htm

Yeah, the more I read into it, the more the rack becomes suspect. Interestingly enough it apparently was an intermittent problem, and luckily managed to reproduce itself immediately following the test drive. It makes me wonder whether something is clogged somewhere in the system, and whether a flush or fluid change may help prolong the inevitable - at least long enough to get the car on the road and look around for a either a rebuilt or good used rack. The Rack Doctor's pricing looks really really good, shipping to Canada is very reasonable though I'm not sure if the return shipping for the core is worth doing for the $50 charge.

I'm also not really looking forward to having to fish the old rack out and get the new one in. Depending on how many hours of labour this typically takes, I might be inclined to send it to a shop with a hoist to do it... are there any special tools needed?

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Jerry /// Past: 95 SSEi (June 2010 COTM) -- 04 GXP (July 2011 COTM)
91 Honda Civic Wagon DX 2WD (fuelly) -- 208,000km -- 92hp -- Autocross Warrior
09 Lexus LS460 AWD -- 94,000km -- Daily Driver
09 White Hot G8 GT -- 155,000km (fuelly) -- LS3 Cam -- GM LS3 CNC Ported Heads -- Kooks 1 3/4" Long Tube Headers -- Solo Catback Midsection -- Hooker Maxflow Mufflers -- Pat G Tune -- Rotofab Intake -- Tein S-Tech Springs -- GXP FE3 Dampers -- BMR Subframe Cradle Inserts -- BMR Subframe Connectors -- Forgestar F14 Gold 18x9 +40 -- Michelin Pilot Super Sport 245/45/18 -- Maverick Man Carbon Fiber Spoiler

Had the rack replaced with an A1 Cardone last year and it's leaking already. I don't know if anyone else remans them. Hope you get a better one than I did. - BC

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In Memory of Brad - 1/21/1977 .. 10/23/2013 ...... Aaron - 1977 .. 2017 .....
2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport ..... 1992 Bonneville SSE 1SB 170 HP L27 4T60E retired/sold to MattStrike ..... 2005 Bonneville SE 1SC 205 HP L36 4T65E - retired/salvage yard ..... PBCF user 2321