93 civic steering hard
 

i have a '93 civic dx h/b with 250000km on it that i have noticed is
getting harder to turn to the right than the left. would it be the
rack or maybe a bad upper control arm ball joint?

thanks

Re: 93 civic steering hard
 

"gsl" <novascrollerNOSPAM@inherentsys.ca> wrote in message
news:41c41e10.8070480@nntp.inherentsys.net...
>i have a '93 civic dx h/b with 250000km on it that i have noticed is
> getting harder to turn to the right than the left. would it be the
> rack or maybe a bad upper control arm ball joint?
>
> thanks

I have a feeling it is the rack - that is where the assist control valve is
located, along with most of what makes the car steer. If there is any
assymetry to the feel when the front wheels are off the ground (and the
engine running), that is a strong indicator of rack trouble.

Just to be sure: there hasn't been any non-Honda fluid added to the power
steering system, has there?

Mike

Re: 93 civic steering hard
 

"gsl" <novascrollerNOSPAM@inherentsys.ca> wrote in message
news:41c41e10.8070480@nntp.inherentsys.net...
>i have a '93 civic dx h/b with 250000km on it that i have noticed is
> getting harder to turn to the right than the left. would it be the
> rack or maybe a bad upper control arm ball joint?
>
> thanks

I have a feeling it is the rack - that is where the assist control valve is
located, along with most of what makes the car steer. If there is any
assymetry to the feel when the front wheels are off the ground (and the
engine running), that is a strong indicator of rack trouble.

Just to be sure: there hasn't been any non-Honda fluid added to the power
steering system, has there?

Mike

Re: 93 civic steering hard
 

gsl wrote:
> i have a '93 civic dx h/b with 250000km on it that i have noticed is
> getting harder to turn to the right than the left. would it be the
> rack or maybe a bad upper control arm ball joint?
>
> thanks

could be either. disconnect the tie rods & rotate the steering knuckles
by hand. if they both swing fully free, it's the rack. check both
swivel joints for wear while you're in there. use the proper tool to
separate the joints - /way/ cheaper & quicker than making do with a
kludge & messing the tie rod up.

Re: 93 civic steering hard
 

gsl wrote:
> i have a '93 civic dx h/b with 250000km on it that i have noticed is
> getting harder to turn to the right than the left. would it be the
> rack or maybe a bad upper control arm ball joint?
>
> thanks

could be either. disconnect the tie rods & rotate the steering knuckles
by hand. if they both swing fully free, it's the rack. check both
swivel joints for wear while you're in there. use the proper tool to
separate the joints - /way/ cheaper & quicker than making do with a
kludge & messing the tie rod up.