Why Does Power Steering seem to work opposite sometimes Can be hard to turn when going slow and dangerously easy to turn on interstate. Replaced Speed Sensor and Solenoid with no luck.?

Answer 1

It sounds like your automobile is equipped with manual steering, not Power Steering. If this is the case, when the vehicle is not in motion or just starting out the gear ratio allows for the steering wheel to be turned with out assistance of hydraulic pressure such as in a power steering system. It is designed this way to save money for the company, and save the buyer money as well in purchasing a vehicle with out unnecessary amenities. Unfortunately it may be difficult to turn the vehicle at low speeds - although driving the vehicle on a daily basis will condition your arms and ad strength, which will make it easier to steer. As far as being ultra-responsive on the highway, it may be more about driving technique, than the vehicles handling characteristics. While it may be "correct" to drive with your hands at "10" & "2" on the "clock," (steering wheel) this seems to promote overcompensation on the drivers behalf and results in unnecessary steering input. When both hands are placed on the steering wheel, and the vehicle hits a road irregularity which throws the vehicle to the left lets say, the left hand pulls it further into the wrong direction, while the right hand is trying to bring it back with more than adequate force causing the vehicle to swerve. On the other hand, driving a vehicle with 1 hand on the steering wheel, with a good grip but not extra firm allows for the natural movement of the wheels and steering wheel while traveling over defects in the pavement, with out the driver having to constantly try and correct the direction in which the vehicle is traveling. One final note, is that due to the suspension design of some vehicles, they tend to steer into all road irregularities and that is just a characteristic of the vehicle which the owner must live with. This is true for vehicles equipped with both manual, and power steering.