Power steering issues

[Patrick]

1998 buick century once again lol.
Got my car realigned and a new lift inner tie rod.
The car was pulling hard to the left now its pulling slightly to the right.
The bigger problem is now that power steering doesnt work unless your at higher rpms, or higher speed like above 10 mph any ideas?

Topic

[Mike]

Did the lack of power steering first occur immediately after the maintenance and alignment? Like, as soon as you drove out of the shop?

If so, take it back.

[Patrick]

It happened a couple hours later.

[Mike]

Any sign of power steering fluid leaks? Drips on the ground, an occasional puff of underhood smoke from the exhaust manifold, and so on?

Pure speculation, but seeing as how it was an inner tie rod end that was changed, maybe the shop damaged a seal or a boot at the steering rack, and now you might have a small drip/leak which is causing a bit of pressure loss in the steering rack. If the leak is very small, perhaps slightly higher RPM are needed for the pump to “catch up” to the pressure loss and equalize it. That might explain the weird pressure symptoms you’re having.

A look under the car with a bright flashlight should tell you if you’re dealing with a leak or not.

[Author]

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