Hi I'm new to this site. I have a 2000 Bonneville SSEI. For a while now I have been getting service the steering stabilzer alarm. Now today when I tried to turn to the left to turn into a parking spot, it would not turn. I had to put some muscle into it to turn. You can turn it to the right with no problem, but to the left it all you can do to make it turn. Is this a rack & pinion problem. I read on the web that their is a magnetic variable assist valve that could be the problem, is this TRUE? Is this valve and the Rack & pinion built into one unit or are they separate? Also how can I test to see which on is the problem.

Sounds like the rack is going out. The service stability system is something I've dealt with on both of my cars. It can only be scanned by a Tech II, at a dealer.

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Bye Bye:

RIP sandrock

i'll second that, sounds like the rack.

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2007 Impala SS - 30k 5.3L V8
1997 LeSabre Limited - 115k
Gone but never forgotten:
2001 Bonneville SE
1992 Bonneville SE

The service stability system can be set off by many things, including wheel speed sensors (that generally also disables the traction control and abs), the steering position sensor, the lateral accelerometer, and the yaw rate sensor. A tech II, or other scan capable of reading that system will be able to tell exactly where that problem is. That shouldn't cause the hard steering problem.

While the rack may be the problem, a more common failure is the power steering pump. Have you checked the fluid level? Does the pump make any noise while trying to make the turn? The magna-steer could cause a problem, but I don't believe that we have had any reports of that occurring on this forum.

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*Gone, but not forgotten* - Black 2000 SSEi, HIR Headlights, Angel Eyes fogs, 3rd brake light overlay, hi-flo cat, 180 degree thermostat, HS 1.9 rockers, LSx yellow springs, Intense FWI, PCM, shift kit, push rods, and 3.4 Pulley. ZZP Power Log.

The power Steering as the proper fluid level and it does not make any strange sounds when trying to turn. It just very hard to the left and very easy turning to the right. If it was the pump I would suspect hard steering in both direction. Can you check the magna steering by unplugging it from the rack and have the wheels off the ground and try turning it. I was looking at the manual and it say you need a special pin to lock the steering wheel while doing maint on the rack. Can you us a wooden dowel and what size is the pin?
Thank for the reply.