Strange steering noise

[r7oky]

Sun was out today so thought it best to take it out for a spin, all was well, on the way home started hearing a strange noise coming from steering kind of a groaning noise which has got progressivly worse, steering feels slightly heavier, i have checked power steering fulid levels all of which seem fine, any ideas?? Many thanks

[jonnyw]

I had that last year and finally the power-steering felt asthough it wasn't working, became very heavy all of a sudden, then came back. This got progressivly more common and prolonged.

I was concerned that I had lost the woodruff key but everything else was fine?

I changed the fluid for fresh stuff and it was fine again, old fluid was dark and burnt and had just lost its viscosity/integrity. I change it every year now.

[kojak]

Hopefully it is just the fluid. The woodruff key going is costly.

[r7oky]

right change of fluid first then i think, what do you use any inparticular, also can you explain on the costly woodruff key what it is and how much, lets hope it not that.

[alinton]

The Woodruff Key costs about 10p, but changing it is a pig cos you really need to lift the engine to get at it.

The power steering pump is shaft driven - the shaft exits the engine towards the bottom of the drivers side. The shaft has a keyway and fits into a socket in the pump (which is towards the back of the engine) which also has a keyway, and the woodruff key is kinda like half a 2p piece which mates the two keyways together.

But, it shears off (which it is designed to do, but unfortunately it does so without any real need), leaving you with no PS.

Its a hassle to lift the engine and separate the shaft from the pump, so a lot of people forget it and fit an electric power steering pump. Search for my previous thread on this.

Although I don't think yours has sheered - you notmally get 'twittering' noises if it has, not groaning.

I'd check the fliud level and then suspect the steering rack.

Andy.

[r7oky]

many thanks to every one, just one more point i will be checking the fuild and more than probably changing it, any tips or techniques or what i should do or be aware of, it getting great weather now and want to play.
Many thanks again.

[morebeanz]

Another tip that the good guys at Fernies gave me is to check the steering UJs where they pass through the front wheel arch. Apparnetly it is very common for the rear most one to get clogged up with gunk off the wheel and start to stiffen up. A bit of de-greaser and a good scrub and everything frees up again.

Hope it's nothing more serious...

[Extra 300 Driver]

Check the oil level, engine oil.

I know it sounds strange but my old car would groan if the oil level got towards min!!!

Never any flutuation in pressure ot temperature.

[r7oky]

Did check the oil level before i went out as part of the routine checks, did top it up with a little oil, but will definatly check again.
Thanks

[t5grf]

As Extra 300 driver said, check your oil, I had this problem on my old 4.2, topped up oil and prob solved!