I just got my front upper control arms, upper ball joints, lower ball joints and outter tie rods installed, a wheel alignment and my Maro still rides the same, the steering wheel is real hard when I turn and park and the steering wheel shakes when I go above 50. What is this?

 

I'm thinking it's the steering pump.

 

Could you have a tire out of balance or uneven wear causing the steering wheel to shake. I don't believe the steering pump would cause that, however, it could cause the steering to be stiff. does it whine when you are turning?

 

Yea, it's really stiff when I turn, it's literally a work out. It's the same with my stock tires when I replace them in the winter. Someone I knew had a same problem and it ended up being the steering pump. I'm not sure, real confused.

 

You didn't answer if the pump whines? If not, I would think the rack & pinion might be the stiff steering problem. Does it steer harder like in the morning on a cold start up, then get easier as it warms up? That's what they call "morning sickness". If so, it's your rack.

 

Well you first checked you PS fluid, and it is at the right level?

You got the car from a shop and that happens? I would bring it back and ask them to tell you what's up at no charge -- I would have thought they would road test on a highway after alignment...

 

What do you mean by "pump whine?"

 

This blows, I'm selling this and picking up a SS.

 

Pump whine, like it sounds like a supercharger when you turn. Could indicate low ps fluid. What kind of bushings did you use when you repleaced your suspension

 

my pump was bad and didnt whine. 6 month old pump. these pumps have a relief valve that lets fluid through after a certain pressure so you have the same presure from idle to wot. if it sticks open like mine it felt like the belt was slipping but only below 1500rpms. i changed the belt with no change. called a guy about a performance pump and he told me it was that relief valve. changed the pump and it is like new. it changed the way the car handled as steering was a little stiffer at higher rpms but at idle is was really hard to steer like the motor was off.