My power steering recently gave out - well it works fine when moving, but at slow speed it's completely stiff, like impossible to parallel park.

Took it to a mechanic who thinks it's part #44020-50050 - some sort of modulator attached to the steering rack that adjust the power steering based on speed. However, this part is impossible to find, isn't made anymore, and there doesn't seem to be any info online, like no one else has ever had this problem.

Has anyone else experienced this or have any advice as to where to find this part?

 

That part number returns 0 hits on any forum of online discussion at all, nobody has ever talked about. To me, that seems like it's unlikely to be the issue.

However, I don't know what it could be. So my advice here is limited.

 

yeah there's no talk of this thing at all!

 

This appears to include the pressure control solenoid.
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...t=7388&jsn=374

 

i think that's the rack itself - a slightly different part number 44250-50050

EDIT - i see now you are saying that it includes the pressure control solenoid. will inspect this closer thanks

 

I see a solenoid

 

thanks i don't know what to look for!

 

Yes, it's a solenoid attached to the steering rack. There have been some discussions here quite a while ago about cleaning the small screen inside it (not to be confused with the screen inside the PS reservoir).
If you're somewhat mechanically inclined you can remove it and inspect the screen for blockage. If fluid isn't moving freely through the screen it will obviously affect performance.
You can not buy it by itself but it will come on a rebuilt steering rack. The design changed somewhere around 1996 or 1997 so the part will look different from this posted photo but the function is the same.
You'll find the screen at the end once it's removed.

 

thanks! the car is currently at the mechanic but i will pass that info to him.

 

Well the mechanic gave up so I've got the car back. He said that Maval steering column did not look like it had the valve on it, but as someone has pointed out, it does look like it's on there. Maybe he didn't look at all the photos. Idk, he's a weird guy and I'd rather take it somewhere else anyways.

At $200 for the whole column and valve, that doesn't seem like a bad price. Not sure what someone would charge to do the labor.

Or I could try to clean out the screen myself. I am "somewhat" mechanically inclined and used to do a fair amount of work on my cars, but have been preferring not to these days. My main issue is not having a garage and doing it in a gravel driveway and dealing with weather etc. And it takes me 10 times longer than it would someone with more experience. Maybe I'll eyeball it and see how deep in the engine it is.

 

Keep in mind the solenoid may or may not be the problem.
The screen is very small and it does become clogged with debris, especially on a 30 year old car, but it's probably not enough to disable power steering function completely.
Power steering doesn't do much when the car is above 20 or 30 miles an hour. It may feel like it's working while your driving but it's likely not...

 

yeah it was just the mechanic's theory because it does really feel normal once you start moving. it's really like when parallel parking that it's super stiff. and he said the fluid in the pump seemed to be flowing as it should. but who knows.

 

Is there a big empty parking lot you can go to and crank the wheel while doing 20 or 30mph? My guess is it may not keep up there. I would imagine that if the power steer pump can't produce enough force, it won't be able to keep up during an emergency situation and can be pretty dangerous.

Tho again, beyond my forte to guess what's wrong. Just trying to help with what thoughts I do have.

 

i can try that. this problem started when my daughter borrowed the car and turned sharply right into a parking space.

 

Sounds like some components are bent and binding would explain the sudden failure.