Thread: 2007 Grand Prix GXP Steering Box

Hoping someone can provide their opinion here. I was out shopping with the wife a couple hours ago. Upon pulling in to my parking spot at my apartment, I suddenly noticed the car would not turn left. It's like there's no power steering, only when turning left.

About 3 weeks ago, I had the car at Tires Plus for 2 new fronts, and an alignment. They told me the inner and outer tie rods were bad and needed to be relaced. I bit the bullet and had them do it.

So tonight I took off the front driver side wheel to see if I could find anything obviously wrong. Well the boot was pulled off the rod where it goes into the steering box, as well as some sort of little vacuum line was disconencted. Bingo! Problem solved and I put it all back together. I was a bit shocked that a small tie wrap is all that was used to hold/clamp the boot down, and it had slid right off.

But anyhow, after reconnecting the vacuum line, or whatever it is, and sliding the boot up, I started the car, but still the same problem. No left turning, and a bit of whining while trying to do so. (From the car, not the wife).

So I have dug around online and found many, many posts suggesting the steering box is bad? Or agear in it? I know nothing about these components! So I have several questions.

1st being if this issue was in any way, shape, or form caused by Tires Plus doing something improperly. My first thought is tobe there tomorrow morning at 7am when they open. But am I just wasting precious time in doing that? Will most likely be told that the box/gear is bad, and needs replacing? I went on every major parts site and damn near nobody even lists or carries a 2007 GXP steering box. Advance had a bunch come up, but none are "Exact fit" parts for the Grand Prix.

So I have no idea if this part is really hard to find, how expensive, etc. This is my only vehicle and I'm already gonna miss work tomorrow trying to get this repaired. Any suggestions as to how I should proceed?

Again, going to Tires Plus in the AM, will that just be a waste of my time? Should I just call a dealership? Any advice and suggestions would be very much appreciated.
And just another tidbit of info. My PS fluid looks like brown sludge in the resevoir, and I smelled burning the second I removed the cap to check the fluid. Would that be an issue with the pump, or just that it was being over worked as I was driving a minute before that, and trying to turn left to no avail.

Thank you!!

I would bring it into the dealership. Something is definately wrong.

Given the sludge, youll want to replace everything.

Youre not going to like this, but new racks come with new inner tie rods.

Originally Posted by GMCustomerService

WkDcLwNz,

I also recommend having the vehicle inspected by a certified technician at your local dealer.

Please keep us posted.

Louis
GM Customer Service

Took her in for a check up. Turns out is was indeed the rack and pinion. Had a new one installed, but the steering was twice as hard to turn right at low speeds, than it was turning to the left. Took it back in yesterday. They said the new rack seems like it'sbinding up a bit. They are going to put another in at no charge.
Thank you everyone for your comments and suggestions!

I had the same issue , I heard a loud thump backing out of a parking space & could hardly turn either direction. The powersteering rack broke , cost $ 700.00 to be replaced