Hydraulic Power Assist Steering System problems of the 1998 Oldsmobile Silhouette

Recall for steering, difficulty turning left,power steering inoperative. Replaced rack and pinion. Left turns could only be done at a low rate of speed and at a wide angle. Consumers vehicle was not covered under the recall and was charged for service. Mechanic left the recall paperwork on the passenger seat and it was found by the consumer showing that he used the paper work determine how to fix the problem.

When vehicle is driven through a small puddle, and any amount of water enters the engine compartment, vehicle loses power steering, and steering wheel locks up.

Rel. Claims: 731603, 848089, 870477, 871178, 890098 steering fails when going through puddle at any speed, even 20 mph. I barely missed hitting someone. I have never seen anything like this in my 20 years of driving. Is their patch or fix available since this was first found out almost three years ago? this problem creates a dangerous loss of steering control on wet roadways. Please advise allenkkuhn@yahoo. Com.

During wet road/weather conditions power assisted steering failed. Dealership installed a water deflector plate to prevent water from contacting power steering belt. However, while traveling at approximately 25 to 30 mph in a rain storm, power steering failed, and belt for alternator slipped which caused light for battery on the dash board to come on. Dealership has been contacted, and owner was informed that nothing could be done for this problem. The dealer indicated that the wet conditions caused a belt to slip from the alternator and disabled the alternator.

The power steering would fail while driving in the rain which resulted in loss of control. Vehicle was taken to dealer & mechanic could not locate cause of steering problem.