Well, at 185,000 looks like my '92 SSE rack is starting to leak at the pinion. Been whining for the last 50,000. Now I'm getting a crunch when only turning or backing left. I've ruled out the McPherson and sway bar for the crunch cause the suspension is quiet as a mouse going over sever rough roads. Am going after the rack for the cause of the leak, slop and crunch (sounds like a new breakfast cereal).

Anyway, when I price out remanufactured racks I find that a rack for a standard suspension is about $69 with trade and a "sport" suspension SSE is about $129 with trade. Can someone tell me what my SSE might have? The steering wheel has always been stiffer to turn than an SE and it has less turns lock to lock. Some retailers don't show rack options for the SSE. I do not have traction control option either. If it helps my VIN is: 1G2HZ5216N1276055. Oh, another thing that may help, I know my power steering pump has a solenoid to vary fluid pressure.

Can someone clear this up for me?

Does someone know the three digit code for variable assist power steering?

You could try putting your codes into the decoder...

Can you give us the list of codes from your spare tire, or look for the above codes?

Thanks for the input guys.

I checked out the build tag on the spare tire cover. It shows FE2 which is the "suspension, ride and handling". This is not the soft ride (FE1), the sport (FE3) or the firm ride & handling (F41).

Do you suppose the FE2, then, is the standard steering?

I'm getting a crunch on from my front suspension when i back up or turn a specific way.

I checked out the FE2 rack with the GM parts boys today. They said my rack is actually the performance rack and is identical to that found on the F41 suspension.

I'm betting the crunch is coming from the rack. I've noticed that there have been many posts on this site about front end crunches when turning left. In most cases I remember new McPherson struts do nothing. Neither does tie-rod replacement. A few had success with retorquing anti-sway bars or replacing their bushings however.

Let us know how things work out. I'll do the same.

FE2 was standard on most pontiacs, while FE1 was standard on most Buicks & Olds.

same... do it quickly because I want to get drop springs installed soon too and I should probably get it all done together

Lee

What about F41?