How to diagnose 1999 Pontiac Grand Am Power steering problems. Power steering fluid level seems fine. Loss of powersteering. Fine on the road hard on start up from standing start. Do I need pump, rack, bleeding, or ??????

Slipping belt or failing pump most likely. You might try draing the system and refilling including a Lucas type power steering fix additive.

sounds like the power steering pump or drive belt could be faulty or pump leaking check the fluid level. and drive belt first is it ok and tensionered ok if the fluid level keeps dropping then the pump may be faulty

Check the level of your power steering fluid and have your pump checked. You are probably just low o fluid.

The rubber bellows/boot is not the problem

You have a leaking steering rack,no fix,have to replace
with a reman rack

Hi, try having the fluid changed and the filter in the powersteering pump changed and that should get rid of the problem. If the fluid is smelly and brown it needs to be flused and use lucas power steering fluid to fill it with, if it does not help then you will have to pressure test the pump output and electric control valve to see if it's failing, if not then you have a rack and pinion problem and will need to be tested to see if a cylinder is bypassing.

Locating the Power Steering reservoir and adding PS fluid. 1999 Pontiac GP

The reservoir is clearly visible in the engine bay on the 3.1 litre engine cars.

For the 3.8 Ltr engine cars, use a flashlight to look down past the alternator for a black cap with a steering wheel printed on it to indicate the power steering fluid reservoir. ( passenger side of the vehicle).

Remove the cap of the power steering reservoir, clean the dipstick, re-insert and remove again to check the fluid level. If the level is at or below the low level mark, add fluid slowly, taking care not to fill above the MAXIMUM mark. It's best to add small amounts and re-check the level as you go to ensure you do not overfill the reservoir above the MAX level.

ONLY use the power steering fluid recommended for that vehicle by GM.

YOU NEED TO BLEED POWER STEERING SYSTEM BY HAVING LOW FLUID AIR ENTER THE SYSTEM.PARK CAR ON SOLID LEVEL GROUND SAFELY RAISE SUPPORT VECHICLE ON JACK STANDS.YOU CAN LEAVE CAR ON GROUND BUT TURNING STEERING WHEELS BACK AND FORTH WILL WEAR SPOT IN TIRES.TURN STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT WITH THE ENGINE OFF.CHECK POWER STEERING FLUID.ADD MORE FLUID IF LOW.MAKE SURE FLUID LEVEL ON COLD MARK ON DIP STICK.THE YOU CRANK CAR UP LET IDLE LITTLE HIGH FOR 15 SECONDS.THEN TURN OFF ENGINE.CHECK POWER STEERING FLUID LEVEL MAKE SURE ITS ON COLD MARK AT DIP STICK.THEN YOU START THE CAR UP WHILE IDLING TURN STEERING WHEEL IN BOTH DIRECTIONS SLOWLY TO THE STOPS DONT HOLD IN STOP TURN STEERING WHEEL LEFT AND RIGHT FOR SEVERAL TURNS.STOP ENGINE CHECK FLUID IF FLUID TAN STILL HAS AIR IN SYSTEM.LET CAR SET A LITTLE WHILE TRY THE BLEEDING PROCEDURE AGAIN.THERE IS A REASON POWER STEERING FLUID WAS LOW CHECK ALL POWER STEERING HOSES AT POWER STEERING PUMP TO THE RACK PINION ASSEMBLY.

this peice belongs to your power steering pulley its a plastic o\piece that over time brakes off you can either call your dealer and see if its covered by your warranty because its has to be replaced the pats that the plastic belongs on is top pulley you 'll notice powersteering wheel hard to steer and squeeling you must replace part or adjust it so its holding pulley tight itshas grooves in it 2 as a matter of fact if you keep using this pulley with broken plastic it could brake your belt

Well sounds like your pressure side of the powersteering has blown the hose.. you need to order a new pressure hose from the parts store and get it replaced and refill the powersteering tank.. Thanks jerry ...