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('07 Cobalt LS; rack & pinion, with electric power steering.)

Lately, I've felt there might be a hitch in the steering, occurring when straightening out after rounding a corner. The effect is subtle, and possibly all in my head.

So, I put the front end up. With engine off, key on, I can turn the steering wheel. But, at about +/- 45-degrees rotation, the effort needed to turn abruptly substantially increases, and remains at the higher level beyond that point. It isn't hard to turn; just, there's a noticeable change. If it matters, there is negligible slop in the linkage. The anti-theft steering lock occurs at ~90 degrees rotation.

Anyway, that's the question: is it normal for steering resistance to change like that? Thanks.

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  • Is there any noise you'd consider abnormal when doing this (engine off/key on)?
    – Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2 ♦
    Jul 19, 2020 at 19:43
  • @Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2: nope. Quiet as a mouse.
    – George
    Jul 19, 2020 at 21:19

1 Answer 1

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The u-joint coupling the (steering) intermediate shaft and the rack's pinion shaft is rusted up.

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