I'm having this really wierd problem when I'm steering through longer turns (on-ramps, etc.). It's like the steering hits a "dead spot", and the wheel turns an inch or so with no effect on steering. The feeling is similar to a knee buckling when you put weight on it. I know that's a weird anology, but it's the best I've got.

The car has been aligned, the outer tie rod ends are new, and has a 1" lowering kit on it. I can't be sure if it's a PS problem, or a suspension component, but any ideas would be appreciated. Thanks.

I would assert that your rack has a worn spot on it, where the pinion is not holding. Or vice-versa. If the tie-rod ends are new, and everything looks to be in order, it (if you describe it accurately) has to be in the gear itself.

I'm not sure about it being a worn spot. I tried out Spy's idea today, and I took all my turns fast as usual, but in a higher gear to drop the RPMs. Sure enough, the steering didn't buckle once. I'm going to try again at high RPM to see if this holds true.

Spy, what needs to be done to disable this? I'm assuming that it has something to do with the rack because you can't "disengage" the pump.

hows she been otherwise???

get an electric pump maybe? That's the only thing I can think of that would help that situation. I encountered a similar situation with the race car. The power steering would quit working when bouncing off the rev limiter at the end of the straight-aways. On the most recent car I've built, we eliminated the power steering all together because the lines rusted through anyway. It probably doesn't help you but, once you get moving there's not much difference with or without.

If the problem your experiencing is due to high engine RPM there is a fix. Check out the VFAQ:

http://www.vfaq.com/mods/wayback/pspump.html

Very resourceful you are Kicks. I wish they had an updated one with all the pictures though.

Not to be contrary, but Spy's input has everything to do with steering effort, and nothing to do with a perceived dead spot in the steering. If, in tight turns at high RPMs, you have a momentary lapse in power assist causing a short period of increased steering effort, you are simply running into Mitsu's idea of variable rate steering. A simple valve system interrupts hydraulic pressure in the p/s set-up as the RPMs rise. The fix involves cheating the valve to stay open at all times, causing maximum assist at all speeds.
A dead spot, wherein you turn the wheel and nothing happens for what would be considered an excess # of degrees, will be in the mechanical linkage of the gear, or the gear itself.

Yeah, those missing pics are going to hurt me. I'm positive this is my prob. If i'm at higher RPMs in the rain, the car is pulled violently by a puddle or standing water. A LOT worse than my previous Laser, so I knew something was up, and this is making sense with all the other symptoms i've been seeing.

Justin, the car's been running pretty well. Had to seal up an oil leak on the filter housing That was fun. The front clip is off right now getting some 'glass on those trouble spots because that epoxy broke apart. It's got a bunch of minor woes, but when we get a house and a garage, a lot of that will change .

JMoushon, I think you're getting the wrong idea with my description. This "buckle" doesn't happen all the time, even on the same turns.

If there's a flat spot on the rack, there would have to be a consistent point where the wheel goes dead, and that isn't the case at all. This stupid RPM-sensitive steering sounds waaaaaaaaayyyyyyy too identical to what's happening to me. Thanks for the good input, though.

moush moush, right or wrong that was pretty brilliant explication of symptom theory and diagnosis.