The Buick steering rack is a relatively modern invention. Since Buick buyers have often preferred a more traditional American car ride and handling experience, Buick offered that to its buyers via a traditional steering system that didn't use a Buick steering rack. Instead, a wobbly parallelogram linkage system with an overboosted steering gearbox stood in for the Buick steering rack found on more recent models. As they often do, the engineers discovered a way to make a rack and pinion Buick steering rack with good precision, yet weight the steering feel to appeal to traditional Buick customers and younger folks alike. That's the Buick steering rack we have with us today on vehicles like the Lacrosse. It goes without saying that the Buick steering rack receives power assist via an engine-driven hydraulic pump-a manual Buick steering rack just wouldn't fit in with the conception of a premium American car, after all. With power assist, the Buick steering rack receives high-pressure hydraulic fluid via hoses and valves in just the right proportion to 'push' on the wheels in response to steering input. In other words, if you turn the wheel just a little at high speeds, the Buick steering rack receives just a little hydraulic push. If you crank the wheel as you turn in to a parking space, the Buick steering rack gets a big boost from the power steering pump to help. As vehicles have gotten heavier, the power Buick steering rack has become more and more important, and you wouldn't want to attempt to steer a modern Rendezvous with a manual Buick steering rack. Unless you were training for a strength contest, that is. As far as Buick steering rack maintenance goes, there isn't much you can do. Make sure the power steering fluid remains topped up and inspect periodically for leaks around the Buick steering rack. Otherwise, drive and enjoy your car with the knowledge that your Buick steering rack is still a pretty newfangled component.