We bought a 2007 HHR with 180,000 miles on it, it had a steering issue when we bought it, Intermittent stiff steering, and doesn't return coming out of the curves very well, As far as I can tell the Electric Power Steering is working, and I have checked the Ball joints, Tie rods and Stabilizer links and the all appear to be "free", I had to change the Lower control arm bushing, I noticed the passenger side Rack Boot has came off and that end of the rack is exposed, it don't appear to be leaking any grease out of the end but I figure that dirt and road grime have gotten inside and damaged the Rack.

So I was wondering if anyone could give me a rough Idea of what kind of job it is to change the rack, Does the Cradle have to be lowered etc.

 

there is a recall on the electric power steering motors. call the dealer to check for coverage.

with that said; the system is designed to time out if held at the steering stops during parking manoeuvers to prevent overheating.

with the front end lifted; if you can grasp the tires and turn them from stop to stop and do not feel any binding its probably not the rack or the I-shaft u-joint.

 

Tech2
Thanks for the information, I called the dealer and had a GM representative look up my Vin, and nothing was listed,

I also checked the Steering with the front end lifted and I can't get the steering to move like you stated, it binds and is hard to turn, I will be changing the Rack and Pinion this weekend

Thanks again

 

you better check the I-shaft u-joint. mark it as its not master splined and disconnect it from the rack and repeat the test.

 

Are you talking mark the marking the Shaft and U Joint ?? to put them back together ? I changing the Rack so that wouldn't help.

If you unhook the rack and pinion, does the Steering shaft just keep going round and round like a normal Car without EPS (Electric Power steering) ?


I was just going to line the wheels up straight, before taking the rack and pinion out, then when putting the replacement rack and pinion in rotate it from stop to stop, count the turns, divide in half, and rotate the the center, and hook up the u joint to the rack and pinion, and the Garage that Aligns the HHR can fix the rest.

Is there something else I need to do or Know ?

 

I just re-read your first post. A lot of things can cause this but only one would be intermittent. Are you sure its the rack?


What has to happen for the fault to occur?

 

Well we purchased the HHR with the Steering issue, and as a previous Certified Mechanic, I have since checked the front end out, Ball Joints, Tire Rods, stabilizer links and Struts, and the Passenger side boot has came off the Rack and Pinion exposing it to the elements, the fuses are fine, the rack turns to the right easy like it should power steering working, but coming back or turning left it's stiff and doesn't like to return and is stiff turning, I have also jacked the HHR up with the wheels off the ground and when I tried to turn the wheels by had they were very hard to turn, almost impossible. This is why I have came to the conclusion it's the Rack and Pinion, and with 180,000 miles and the end of it being open it's what I have came to the conclusion is the culprit,
EPS is totally new to me so If there's something else you can suggest to check I would be more then willing to try it.

Thanks for your help

 

if it intermittently loses power assist when driving I would say power steering motor...but if you can consistently recreate it just by moving the wheels by hand when its jacked up; I would agree rack or I-shaft u-joint.


now that I think of it, the I-shaft can only go on one way at the rack. its not master splined at the steering column end.


remove the ishaft at the rack and repeat the test moving the rack. if its still tight, its probably the rack.

 

Well were just got the rack changed and everything is good only a little over 2 hours.

The original rack was so stiff it couldn't be turned by hand.

Thanks for all the help everyone