1999 Contour power steering out

jbknows · 01-01-2008, 09:48 AM

My daughter just called and said the power steering just went out last night. (Happy New Year Right?)
Any way, is this a huge under taking, or can a guy with a little no how do this job? It is a 98 or 99 with a 6 cyl enginge.
She also told me this car has a wierd pull to the left upon braking. I replaced the two calipers andpads but still has a very strange pull that I havenever witnessed.
Your thoughts?

jonmark1985 · 01-01-2008, 02:02 PM

Check how wore your inner and outter tie rods are. Sometimes when they are wore a car will pull during braking.

jbknows · 01-01-2008, 03:10 PM

all is good there but thanks. any ting else?

jonmark1985 · 01-01-2008, 04:59 PM

Did you jack the car up, and then twist the wheels with your arms, while a helper observes for wear?

jbknows · 01-01-2008, 06:54 PM

Sure did my man. Crazy ah?

jonmark1985 · 01-02-2008, 09:10 AM

Yeah... How do the tires look?

Flyingjackal456 · 01-02-2008, 03:59 PM

Let's rule out the ABS system (does the brake pedal vibrate and drop towards floor while braking?)

Power steering usually doesn't just die, usually the pump gets really noisy (like army tank sounds, possibly grinding and chirps) then the pump gives out. Just FYI.

Does the car pull while just driving, does the car pull to the right while hard-accelerating?

jbknows · 01-02-2008, 05:03 PM

No vibration whats so ever. The pedal is strong all the way through the brake. It is the strangest pull I have ever witnesed. It's a quick pull to the right if you keep the hand off the wheel than a more severe pull to the left as you keep a good peddel to stop. It's like the front end is lose on that side if you know what I mean. We lifted the car, checked the inner/outer tie rods and all was good. Had the front end alligned. I heard that there might be an abs sensor on the front wheels of this car. My guess is that it could be my problem?
As far as the power steering, maybe I got a rack problem and that could be what the other problem is too. Could that be a posibility?
Just a thought. Man I hate this car. It's a money pit but I can not sell it the way it is....
Thanks in advance...

Flyingjackal456 · 01-02-2008, 06:24 PM

No, ABS system kicking in would make the peddle Vibrate and drop down closer to floor, you'd know if ABS was the problem.

Thank you foe describing the issue, I think we need two new rules in this forum (or at least enforse them):
• Make sure you list the Vehicle's Model, year, and mileage
• Be thorough when explaining the issue, especially when the issue is very odd/rare/Strange.

a bad power rack can cause severe unwanted feedback to the driver (you) go to a garage like Midas or Pep boys and see what they think. A second opinion is always nice. They should be able to diagnose the issue for $29.99 (i think). Then get the steering fixed first, after that, we can see about the brakes.

jbknows · 01-02-2008, 08:01 PM

Flyingjackal456

Thanks for your help, as well to (jonmark1985) and everyone on the forum as far as that goes. It makes this fun anyway if you are to have a car problem. My problem is that I am a realtor by trade and we all know what the markets like. We are all poor in this economy and helping people through these forums is what it's all about. If everyone helped each other, the world would be a better place. ( just a thought)