96 Civic DX, steering becomes too soft

I have this strange problem with my 96 Honda Civic DX manual
transmission. No mechanic has been able to give any explanation.

Sometimes the steering of my car becomes extremely soft (there is very
less traction when I try to turn the car), and the turn signal won't
shut off after turn. That is after a left turn, when steering is turned
clockwise the turn signal should go back to central position. There are
audible clicks when steering is going to initial "straight" position
after turn in good working cars.
Where as in my car, steering becomes very soft and there are no clicks
when I turn my steering back to "straight" position.

This problem goes away by itself in summer and reappears in winter.

Any clue what could be wrong, I don't have much idea about steering of
honda civic.

Thanks

 

That's an expected problem with the 96/97 Civics. The wrong grease is
used on the mechanism that cancels the turn signal and provides
electrical connections to the steering wheel. The plastic bloats and
the grease hardens. The clicking is the safely mechanism that prevents
your steering wheel from jamming along with it. You'll need to get this
fixed soon or the electrical wires will break. It might already be best
to replace them.

Check with the dealership. The repair might be free or at a reduced
price. It's not too bad as a DIY job as long as you have a repair
manual. Bad things could happen if you don't follow the procedures
regarding the air bag, alignment, and torquing. The old mechanism might
be repairable if you polish the plastic contact surfaces with a spinning
nylon brush and apply pure silicone grease.

 

Thanks a ton Kevin. This makes perfect sense, unfortunaltely Honda
Bellevue, WA, dealer's mechanic didn't know that this was a known issue
with 96/97 civic. I will get it fixed somewhere else.