My 89 XL developed a nasty steering action. Left turns were OK but right turns seemed non-power-assisted. It turns out this is substantially correct. My local shop put it on the power hoist and took the rack out. Where the column shaft enters the rack, that's where the diverter valve body is, or whatever it's called. A valve has failed, so the valve body needs replacing. I see someone local is selling a 96 AWD XLT for $3000, tempted to take a look. Very tempted actually. Clive

Wouldn't it be cheaper to replace the valve and/or the rack? Economically anyway although a 7 yr newer vehicle might be nice I imagine. I personally am not too keen on the AWD/4WD setup yet others seem to like them and not have problems with them. Our smashed 95 just got dropped off here today, have to get the offender's insurance to total and pat it off then work on buying the remains as salvage to build another from a compatible year van with a bad engine. That night be spring though and I have an 86 to repair and an 89 Festiva to get the head on yet. >