Three problems related to steering rack and pinion have been reported for the 1997 Buick Lesabre. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
During normal operation of vehicle while traveling at any speed steering column assumes a different center position approximately 90% of the time, dealership examined vehicle and determined that one of the steering mounting bolts was loose, and another mounting bolt was twisted out of position, dealer replaced the bolt, and corrected the problem. Consumer stated the rack & pinion bolt was completely broken.
Had taken vehicle in for routine maintenance at independent mechanic. Was informed that a bolt to rack and pinion steering had broken , and bushings had worn out. Bolt nut was sitting there, looked like it was welded.
Attaching bolt (drivers side) holding the power steering rack and pinion to the cradle broke, allowing the rackand pinion steering to shift in the right side mouning bracket. Bolt showed no stretching or shear force causing it to fail. Bolt hardened to 10. 9 (on head of bolt) bolt is unavailible until middle of may due to number changes. (tells me something is wrong somewhere ! ).