Lately when I first start my car, there seems to be a problem with the power steering. I am not sure if it's a problem or just something that happens due to the cold weather. It only happens in cold weather. When I first start my car, the streeing doesn't turn. It acts as if the streeing lock is locking the entire unit. After I wait for about 1 to 2 minutes, the steering starts to ease up and loosen up and starts turning but it'd get stuck at some point while i'm turning it and then it'll turn. I don't usually try to force it or anything but when I try to move it, if I try to budge it a bit hard it would make like a squeeky noise. Now after waiting for about 5 minutes and once the car is warmed up, it's fine. Everything turns properly and smoothly. This only happens early in the morning when it's freezing outside. Can anyone educate me on this matter or relate anything to this matter?

 

yup, same thing with mine. Maybe its just the 2000 silver max's? lol but it only takes about 30 seconds before mine stops doing it. But I would imagine it has to do with the different temps. I thought my power steering pump had gone out the first time mine did it, then after about 30 seconds or a minute, it did just fine. I am thinking about doing a fluid flush, not sure how much trouble it is though.

 

Yeah, it sounds like all the sterling mist 2000 maxes got this problem. Well mine also stops the hesitation within 30 seconds but today it was like for a minute or two it seemed like. I don't know, also, how long ago did you replace your belts? I was thinking maybe the belts are slipping or something?

 

I've never replaced them, I checked them out myself, and then had a shop check them out, he said they are fine, which really surprised me. I just don't trust most of the shops anymore. Anyway, I don't think its the belts slipping, I think its just the cold weather.... maybe I should just move further south where its warmer. lol

 

I made a thread about this too. My car does the SAME thing.

WTF...three Sterling Mists with the same issue. =(

 

conspiracy maybe? lol

 

wtf mine does the exact same thing

 

Omg...for God's sake someone with a sterling get in here!!

 

Someone WITH or someone WITHOUT? Cause I only see SM's already here.

 

He meant WITHOUT, lol....

Okay so I guess this is a known issue and something that's normal. Phew... I already got many things lined up that I need to fix, I just didn't want to add another problem to the list. Hehe.

 

Same here. I just can't wait until I'm in a 350Z already.

 

Ok I had the same problem for a long time

Check the level of your Power Steering fluid. Mine was leaking and nearly empty when i checked and this is why it had to warm up to work right. The slow leak was caused by a problem with the POWER STEERING RACK, which had to be replaced eventually. It cost something like $1800 but was covered fully under extended warranty (sucker paid for itself on that deal!)

My temporary fix was just buying bottles of power steering fluid and topping it off when needed, this also eliminates the problem effectively but is not a permanent solution. If you don't have warranty and it turns out to be power steering rack, just topping it off periodically is a much cheaper solution until you sell or trade the car...

 

maybe the chemicals in the sm paint affected the steering rack

 

Thank god i bought a black max... no problems with steering here hehe

 

I have the same problem with my 2001 Super Black SE

It only happens on real cold mornings, I just give the car a few seconds and I go on my merry way. I'm pretty sure my power steering fuild levels are fine too.

 

Actually mine is black/black

 

that is the first thing I checked, and its not that......... its just on cold **** mornings..... I would think that everyone would have checked the level first thing..........then again..... maybe not, but I did and its not the level.

 

what is a POWER STEERING RACK ???