Was Magnasteer an Option on '95-'99?

Hello All,

I needed to replace my rack & pinion setup, and thought I found a great deal at Detroit Axle on eBay. I purchased a reman unit from them and when my shop went to install it, it wasn't a Magnasteer setup. Detroit Axle is now contesting that I bought the wrong one since they have a second listing with Magnasteer that I didn't notice at the time.

The question becomes - was Magnasteer even an option on these cars or was it standard equipment? RockAuto only offers Magnasteer units as replacement, and the Detroit Axle website only shows a Magnasteer unit as a replacement. And their website reports that they are not sure what applications the part they sent me is for.

I am asking eBay to step in since they want me to pay return shipping and a restocking fee for their mistake! But I want to make sure I am correct in saying they all came with Magnasteer.

Thanks in advance,
Joe M.

Magnasteer was standard but you can replace the Magnasteer rack with a conventional if you know what you are doing.

Albertj

Please oh please DO NOT BUY ANYTHING FROM DETROIT AXLE!!! The rack will last you maybe 6 months before it will no longer hold fluids. AND, if you're lucky, the internal parts of the rack they send you will be more worn out more than the factory "bad" rack. I've had it happen more than once. Their parts are absolute junk. Chinese junk....

I am new here. My 1999 Riviera has Magnasteer. I have been looking in the Factory Service manual on the correct way to diagnose it but the section 8A45-0 is gone. I think someone posted pictures of those pages a while ago on this forum but cant find it. Any help appreciated!!!

CHAS1 wrote:

I am new here. My 1999 Riviera has Magnasteer. I have been looking in the Factory Service manual on the correct way to diagnose it but the section 8A45-0 is gone. I think someone posted pictures of those pages a while ago on this forum but cant find it. Any help appreciated!!!

Magnasteer isn't typically troublesome.  Check the wiring, and post what your trouble seems to be.  

Worst case is not bad -- either rack replacement or replace the magnasteer control box.  IIRC on later versions of Magnasteer there are some parameters you can reach. See https://www.gmforum.com/2000-2005-90/setting-magnasteer-209048/ for (much) more.

The thing is, all Magnasteer does is increase steering effort somewhat with road speed. There's no real mechanical or performance advantage. Be sure your car is aligned properly however, at speed it tends to move the steering wheel to what it thinks on-center is and if your wheel and rack are not properly centered it's a pain.

Ths steering effort on my 1999 cannot be adjusted or even diagnosed with the Tech 2. It is diagnosed with a OHM meter. Someone posted screen shots of section 8A45-0-1-2 of the service manual. I cannot find it. Should have printed it.. That section is not in my manual.... any help appreciated.Their is a stand alone module on left side of dash part number 16253643.. THANKS

I have sales literature and price sticker for my 1999. It was STANDARD and called Magnetic variable steering... do not know about other years

Let me add, If you turn your wheel to the right as far as it can go just look at he rack. If you see some wires coming off the rack that is Magnadsteer. Hope to get mine fixed soon

This thread help?

https://rivperformance.editboard.com/t2573-magnasteer-adjustment-not-possible?highlight=Magnasteer

Thanks but will have experienced tech check it out next week. If you have Magnasteer on any car ALWAYS disconnect battery before removing the rack or messing with wires. I think my module was accidently damaged when rack was replaced... I love Magnasteer...

CHAS1 wrote:

Thanks but will have experienced tech check it out next week. If you have Magnasteer on any car ALWAYS disconnect battery before removing the rack or messing with wires. I think my module was accidently damaged when rack was replaced... I love Magnasteer...

Yeah, I went to look in my 98 FSM, but there is no section 8A, just 8.

I found it in my 1999 Manual. called VARIABLE ASSIST STEERING. Pages 2-113 to 2-122...Interesting reading but will leave it to the tech who installed the rack. Could be simple as a fuse, pinched wire or the control module.. Just want it fixed. Thank you for exchange of information.

Oops Called VARIABLE EFFORT STEERING

I am learning more that I need to know but research shows only the 99 had it

CHAS1 wrote:

I am learning more that I need to know but research shows only the 99  had it

My 98 FSM has a section on it.

I am
Learning and really only want it fixed. Turn wheel hard right and look for wires on rack to see if you have it
I guess