Steering Problem!!!!!

[beddo]

Just wondering if anyone could help before a trip to Christopher Neil's

Been out for a quick run tonight while enjoying the good weather when the steering became very heavy all of a sudden. (It felt like the power steering had failed)

I pulled over and checked the power steering fluid, which looked fine!!

Anyone have any suggestions what to have a look at next??????

Regards
Phil...

[joospeed]

I dunno, but I've got 3 cerbs in at the moment all with power-steering faults. looks like an epidemic

[beddo]

Mmmmmm
Hope no more catch it!!! I'll have another good look around it tomorow to see if there are any signs of leaks etc which i may have missed????

Cheers
Phil...

[tvr-fan]

Mines going to be raised in the air tomorrow as my steering has started to feel stiff, i understand the pump is driven by a belt.... is it a 'v' belt or a toothed belt ? anyone know ?
Well il find out in the morning anyway.

[shpub]

If it is a V8, the pump is driven from the same shaft that drives the oil and water pump. This has a woodruff key in it which can get loose and fail causing the pump drive to go. Access to it is an absolute swine and is usually an engine out job.

[bilton_d]

could be a seized UJ?

[kojak]

As Shpub has said...it could be the woodruff key. If it an early model, then this was prone to shearing. Its expensive to put right.

Joolz does (did) a mod for this based on the T350. Looks like it might be the expensive route, due to Joolz's new plans.

Check the UV joints as others have said first.

[beddo]

Thanks for the info,

Looks like i'll be working rather than playing over the weekend!!!!!

Phil...

[tvr-fan]

shpub said:

If it is a V8, the pump is driven from the same shaft that drives the oil and water pump. This has a woodruff key in it which can get loose and fail causing the pump drive to go. Access to it is an absolute swine and is usually an engine out job.

Is it possible that i can loose drive to just the PS pump because of this woodruff key or should i expect to loose the oil and water pumps as well ??

Noticed a split in one of my steering arm boots today so that will need replacing before the MOT but this could be the source of the problem, maybe an ingress of dirt causing it to tighten up ?

[emo]

Have to agree with shpub and kojak. Woodruff key went on mine too.I had it converted to electric power steering pump on advice of jools. Think the difference is about £500 for electric to £1500+ for repair.
Hope its something easy though mate.

[tvr-fan]

emo said:

Have to agree with shpub and kojak. Woodruff key went on mine too.I had it converted to electric power steering pump on advice of jools. Think the difference is about £500 for electric to £1500+ for repair. Hope its something easy though mate.

So when your woodruff key went did the steering just pack up suddenly ?

[dannylt]

Yes, it would just get heavy suddenly if the PAS fails. Mine went intermittent once and was sorted by flushing through with fresh fluid - I think I was just lucky though! Was very scary to drive like that though.

[emo]

So when your woodruff key went did the steering just pack up suddenly ?
[/quote]

It was intermittent for a day or so. Would just lose power steering for a few seconds. Then it went completely.Did all the checks with fluid etc, but turned out to be woodruff key. All that cost for a small piece of metal.

[tvr-fan]

Well mine is still no better but am sure the pump is still working cos there is some sort of steering left. Tried lubricating all the joints n other bits but still tight as a nuns..........

[beddo]

Just had a call from Christopher Neil's, it was a siezed UJ after all and not the Woodruff Key (Thank GOD)!!

I should have her back tomorrow ready for the weekend blast!

Once again thanks for the advice!!

Regards
Phil...