I have a '90 Bonneville and when I make a left/right turn, I lose power and can't take off very fast. The rpm'* go high but it seems like I'm stuck in first gear. Is there something I could check to help track down the problem?

At first I thought it was a transmission problem but since it only happens while turning, I'm starting to think that it might be a problem with the bearings or front axles.

Have you checked your transmission fluid lately?

The trans fluid level checks out ok, any other ideas?

I would say to have your alternator and battery tested. Some auto part stores does this service for free.

BonnevilleLErocks: The battery is only a few months old, so I topped it off with an overnight trickle charge. Pulled the alternator and had it tested at Murrays and it checked out OK.

Another thing I've noticed lately is a faint burning plastic smell near the drivers side front tire, but its not the tire itself. I think something might be causing friction while turning, but its just a guess. Any other ideas for things to check would be appreciated.

I guess this is a really rare problem - is there anything else I can check into to help me find out what is causing it? thanks

Not that rare. If I corner hard enough in mine it'll do the same. It'* done it like that for the past 50k miles, at least.

I'm 90% sure it'* a transmission thing. You corner, and the fluid isn't where it needs to be, or something... Keeping the fluid at the top of where it should be seems to help a little, but mostly I've just learned how to take corners, to keep it from happening.

I'm really surprised that nobody else has mentioned this being somewhat common. I thought it was a problem with the design of these transmissions, even on the newer models to some extent. Am I mistaken? Not to this extent, usually... but they like to slip a bit under high cornering forces, IIRC.

How about the power steering fluid and rack condition? I'm wondering if the motor is stalling at lock on the rack that is putting too much pressure on the pump (and therefore the motor).

Or what about cv axles or a pinched brake line at lock?

I had a similar problem with my car. It would.... um.... "get angry" for lack of a better term when I tried to turn the wheel to full lock. Not quite wanting to stall (But I think the RPMs did go up quite a bit and the motor sounded to be stressed) but I suppose if the motor was high-miles and needed some loving then maybe it would have.... I used a turkey baster and sucked out the old power steering fluid and then refilled it with STP fluid with stopleak and seal re-vitalizer in it. A few hundred miles later and doesn't seem to be nearly as uncooperative as it used to be.

But avoid getting your rack to go lock to lock as it is hard on it...

If the car appears to hit neutral or fishes for gears around corners thats a common problem with our cars.