Lost power steering at the start of trip, then it came back...

[mvbighead]

2007 Chevy Impala - 83k miles.

Started my drive to work this morning and my first 90 degree left turn, the steering wheel pretty much locked as if the car was dead, and after a hard tug on the wheel, the power steering worked. About a 1/4 mile down the road, I felt the same thing happen as I was testing it while approaching a stop light.

For the rest of the trip, it was perfectly fine. Ideas?

I've read elsewhere that hoses and PS pump could be culprits. Though most are referring to more long lasting problems with PS.

 

[slag]

Sounds like its more of a rack based issue as opposed to the pump/hoses.

 

[JCH13]

Well, your PS pump is getting weak when your engine is slowing down (I assume your car is an automatic) and therefore your PS pump is slowing down, but clearly the pump is slowing down too much. Have you checked belt tension to the PS pump?

 

[Meghan54]

Have you bothered to check you power steering fluid level? Check the simple things first before going off the deep end.....

 

[LTC8K6]

Electric power steering, I believe. Looking around the net I see complaints about 2007 Impalas and intermittent loss of assist.

 

[JCH13]

Electric power steering, I believe. Looking around the net I see complaints about 2007 Impalas and intermittent loss of assist.

Maybe the alternator is losing speed/power or maybe slipping? I am grasping at straws a little. I just see a link between dropping engine speed and dropping steering power, which is where I'd concentrate my diagnosis after making sure fluid isn't low as Meghan54 points out.

 

[mvbighead]

Have you bothered to check you power steering fluid level? Check the simple things first before going off the deep end.....

Have I bothered? Well, I was driving to work this morning when the problem occurred, so no, I have not bothered to check anything at this point. My car is sitting in my work place parking lot.

At this point, I am looking for information based on a very specific problem that has occurred. And getting good feedback at this point. Yeesh. Why is it that every garage thread has to have someone who gripes about someone casually asking for information? I haven't ripped apart my PS pump without trying things... I am getting a general basis from a number of gearheads who likely have a much better idea than I.

 

[mvbighead]

Sounds like its more of a rack based issue as opposed to the pump/hoses.

While it certainly may be rack based, I did just recently have the rack and pinion replaced (within 6-9 months I think).

At this point, if it ain't fluid, I might just take it back to the mechanic.

 

[LTC8K6]

Also a lot of problems with the steering column. Might be the column locking up.

 

[mvbighead]

Just drove out to lunch, not one iota of a problem that time. Since this is my wife's DD, I'd rather it not have this kind of issue on her. Gonna have to check fluid tonight, but it seems odd that the problem would simply go away if it were still low on fluid.