Hello,
I'm not quite sure how to explain this, but I'll do my best: I've got a 95 4x4 Sportage that has this wiered power steering issue: if I'm comming back to center from one end or the other , it becomes very dificult to turn the wheel a few degrees through center. Once I finnaly get past center, it's ok again. Case in point:
At one of the intersections on my way to work, I make a right, then an imediate left. During that turn, as I come out of the right to make the left, I whip the wheel around to go left. At that moment, as I pass center, the steering becomes very stiff. I turn a little further, then it becomes easy as if there was nothing wrong. I've taken it to our mechanic and he can't find anything wrong. All three of our 80's Subarus do the same thing, but, only when the RPMS are above 2500. Is it the pump, or the box? I don't know. Any Ideas? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Thanks,
Ted

Conventional questions as you did not mention it:
did you check the fluid level?
does it happen ALL the time
does it happen only when engine is at low RPM and you turn the steering fast?
Test the two last questions and report. Power steering pumps DO have a limited flow capacity and at low RPM they may deliver less than the steering requires if it is turned fast. ALso if fliud level is low, it can suck some air at a time the fluid did not have time to return to the reservoir.
Beside all of that.... it can also be as simple as a loose power steering belt....

Ok, I just checked the fluid level and it was a little low. Added some fluid and ran the test again with the truck standing still: same problem. It's only when you turn the wheel fast and it's when you pass center that it feels like it stops. (It's the worst trurning left, right is not so much of an issue.) The higher the rpm, the worse that stop is. past 3krpms, I can't even turn it past that stop point without backing off and trying again easy. There's no leaks that I can see. There's no noise comming from the pump. Belt is tight. It only does it when you pass center in a hurry, anywhere else and it operates normal.

Thanks,
Ted

I have had something like that with another car and it was due to sticky valves in the rack and pinion..it was replaced then on warranty...So I do not quite like what happens here. However I still think of a pump problem since it seems to be rpm related..
I'd do a test with the front end jacked up and turning the steering slowly without engine running to see if some mechanical hard point can be felt.

check the belt tension.

Ok, I'll check the belt tension again and try turning the wheel with the front end off the ground with and without the engine running.
One more little bt of info: I have quite a bit of freeplay in the steering also and it's the worst around center too.

Thanks,
Ted

time for tie rods and center link? check the ball joints on them?

Yeah..that is why I did not like it: possible worm gear erosion....finding the cause of problem ASAP might be a safety issue here

Need new one, I will. Yes.....
I jacked up the front end, no more of that stop just past center both with the engine off or with it running. However, When I felt the wheels, I could feel some play in there. It's not comming from the tierods - those are still good. The wheel bearings are in excelent shape also. Here's somthing intristing: the freeplay is worse about halfway between center and lock. Strange, that is.
Steering box, replace, I will. Yes....

Next question: the steering box looks fairly simple to swap, true or false?

Now, I must time share the work between getting the Outback running and getting that steering box ordered and replaced in 'portage. Fun!

Thanks, guys!
Ted

Well..here is the section from kiatechinfo
http://www.geocities.com/lmp4203/kiasport/steeringgear.pdf
WIsh there is no other item that could have been overlooked...but the logical speculation seems pointing this way based on your findings. DId not experience that myself on that specific car...wish some one could come with a live experience.
Pay some attention to these threads:
http://www.4x4wire.com/forums/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB70&Number=875631
http://www.4x4wire.com/forums/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB70&Number=811483
http://www.4x4wire.com/forums/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB70&Number=658907