My son recently purchased a cheap S1 VT acclaim. All good except for some confusing steering issues. 1/. Squeaking noise from upper column. Appears to be near plastic shroud but no amount of manipulation will get rid of it. 2/. Steering feels tight. Steering wheel doesn't seem to turn as freely as others I have driven. 3/. Occasionally under acceleration there appears to be some vibration from the front wheels. Feels slightly like a wheel balance issue but I have had that checked. There are no fluid leaks and the car tracks well on the road. The brace on the immediate front of the K frame is bent as if it's been used to tow the car at some stage and there was a spare column in the boot. The history of the car isn't known. These don't feel like big issues but they are annoying. Any help would be appreciated.
Tight steering could be a couple of things. The power steering fluid might need replacing or if its got speed sensitive steering (like in the calais or statos) there could be an issue with that.
could be the power steering pump causing the tight steering, chuck the car into neutral and rev it to about 1500-2000rpm and turn the wheel if it becomes more easy under acceleration to steer it could be the steering pump. also check your steering rack to see if any of your boots are split and not leaking oil. hope some of this helps.
Hey i would have to agree with DanLucas definitely check the power steering rack I've had a VS and now a VX and had my steering rack go in both and this sounds similar to the problems with my VS, so I would definitely give it a look.
