Any power steering gurus out there?

Any power steering gurus out there?

Author
Discussion

STE VR

Original Poster:

498 posts

205 months

Wednesday 10th April 2013
quotequote all
Really really frustrated!!. I had a problem with low pressure fluid pipes leaking so I replaced them all. I then had a problem with no power steering at all. I then changed the pump for a genuine ZF pump but only a Land Rover one. Still not working quite right. I then had the rack reconditioned. The problem I then had was that the steering went from great when engine cold to very notchy/stiff/intermittant when hot i.e after a motorway run.
The pump was changed again and the rack back out for a check at a different company. The rack was given the all clear. All replaced again and the same problem exists, even the reservoir has melted at the point where the return pipe fits ( and I mean really melted ). The reservoir has been replaced along with a full fluid flush. Same problem again.

Any ideas?? I am now very skint and completely baffled!!

Thanks in hope

Steve

roseytvr

1,788 posts

177 months

Wednesday 10th April 2013
quotequote all
Strange one,, are all your connections the right way around? Have you routed the pipe work too close to the manifolds?

STE VR

Original Poster:

498 posts

205 months

Wednesday 10th April 2013
quotequote all
All has been checked and double checked. Pipes are all ok and not directly on anything hot. I'm baffled too!!

terryturbo

1 posts

131 months

Wednesday 10th April 2013
quotequote all
Is the fluid reservoir seperate to the pump ? some have a filter or strainer in them , poss causing low flow and fluid overheating , just a thought .

zacherynuk

353 posts

132 months

Wednesday 10th April 2013
quotequote all
STE VR said:
Really really frustrated!!. ... the steering went from great when engine cold to very notchy/stiff/intermittant when hot i.e after a motorway run. ...

Steve
I'm no mechanic and very new on the TVR train... but surely this reeks of poor oil choice... (I may have to get my coat)


STE VR

Original Poster:

498 posts

205 months

Wednesday 10th April 2013
quotequote all
Reservoir brand new. Definately no restrictions from there. Fluid is new too. Tried dexron 3 and dexron 2.

The worst thing is, is that I've just had a new cam fitted etc and it goes better than ever but I can only go in a straight line!!!!

zacherynuk

353 posts

132 months

Wednesday 10th April 2013
quotequote all
I wonder if you could pinpoint the problem somehow. Perhaps by leaving the car to idle for 30 minutes and then seeing if steering is stiff and clicky.

The pump is driven by the engine, so, perhaps, if the problem only occurs after high engine revs (eg motorway driving) it could be down to incorrect belt ratio - forcing the high pressure oil at too high a pressure causing the build up of heat.... if the heat is enough to melt the res, then it must be enough to cause the funny feelings.

Somebody will say if this is even a feasible hypothesis, I am sure. smile

Steve_D

13,737 posts

257 months

Wednesday 10th April 2013
quotequote all
Since all was OK (bar the leaks) before I have to conclude you have somehow mixed you flows and returns whilst replacing the pipes.
Can you describe the routing of the system starting with the outlet from the reserviour?

Steve

TVR Beaver

2,867 posts

179 months

Wednesday 10th April 2013
quotequote all
Could it be air locking... I'm assuming you are starting up and turning fully anti clock and then fully clock wise a few times to get the air out... if this isn't working is it worth undoing the copper pipes a tad to see if there is fluid there?.. is the fluid returning to the tank when you work it with the top off??... just had mine in bits and it took about 20 mins to get all the air out??...

phazed

21,844 posts

203 months

Wednesday 10th April 2013
quotequote all
Are you sure they haven't adjusted the pinion slipper too tight to try and eliminate play?

It may be ok when old and become notchy as the oil thins and the metal expands when hot?

STE VR

Original Poster:

498 posts

205 months

Thursday 11th April 2013
quotequote all
phazed said:
Are you sure they haven't adjusted the pinion slipper too tight to try and eliminate play?

It may be ok when old and become notchy as the oil thins and the metal expands when hot?
I will ask the question but I feel the answer will come back that all is fine, whether it is or not. Sounds plausible though.

There is no air in the system and the fluid is nice and foam free. The pump also is quiet. Its the hot and cold thats baffling me as that is where the problem must be. The heat must be generating from somewhere.

Thanks for all the replies, keep em coming!

wuckfitracing

990 posts

142 months

Thursday 11th April 2013
quotequote all
Lets see some pictures . You never know it may a simple one to fix.

Hedgehopper

1,537 posts

243 months

Thursday 11th April 2013
quotequote all
I've just converted my car to power steering and as far as I can see the only two connections which could be transposed are where the high and low pressure hoses meet the rack. What difference this would make I have no idea...it's just a thought.


phazed

21,844 posts

203 months

Thursday 11th April 2013
quotequote all
What we need to see is a close up of the connections at the rack.

They can easily be assembled wrongly although my money is badly adjusted pinion or a problem in that area.

Do I trust rack repair companies, do I fk, 3 said that they had repaired my PS rack and none of them did!

Hedgehopper

1,537 posts

243 months

Thursday 11th April 2013
quotequote all


The brass adaptor is for the low pressure hose. The threaded hole to the right of it is for the high pressure hose. The brass adaptopr could have been fitted into the wrong hole?

Hoofa

3,151 posts

207 months

Thursday 11th April 2013
quotequote all
a picture of the other connections to the rack would be good just to make sure they are correct

phazed

21,844 posts

203 months

Thursday 11th April 2013
quotequote all
I reckon that's wrong and should be in the top hole, I'll check my spare later.

phazed

21,844 posts

203 months

Thursday 11th April 2013
quotequote all
phazed said:
I reckon that's wrong and should be in the top hole, I'll check my spare later.
That's all correct!

STE VR

Original Poster:

498 posts

205 months

Thursday 11th April 2013
quotequote all
Thanks very very much for all checking. All the connections have been confirmed against another working chimaera but nice to confirm they are correct.

STE VR

Original Poster:

498 posts

205 months

Thursday 11th April 2013
quotequote all



This pic is just for info. How come return has melted but feed is ok?