Pontiac Owners Club UK

I have a problem with my power steering or steering in general - it's started jamming up temporarily at low speeds especially when performing a 3 point turn or similar. It will be fine and then All of a sudden the wheel goes solid and won't free up until I rev up the engine. It then seems to go with a bit of a clunk and all will be fine until the next time. I've checked the fluid level and it's fine and the belt tension is good too

Any ideas? I was thinking its a steering box issue rather than power steering pump?

Sounds like steering box, if it was the pump you still be able to steer, would just be heavy.

I don't know how similar the 2nd gen box is to a 3rd gen. But I read that if the steering box play is adjusted too tight, it can cause a jam.
also are any of the tierods etc bent or anything?

both box's are identical

Yes both boxes are the same. Only difference is pre 1980 the hose connections had an imperial thread and metric from 80 onwards.

I don't think the box is adjusted too tight as it has been fine for 3 years and it's not been touched. Nothing is bent underneath so it must be the box itself. Ball ache!!

If it was mine i would drain off all the fluid and check for metal particals, and maybe re- fill it with a power steering addative. im not sure but you have a blocked filter inside the pump