Power Steering Problem... i think???

[Nano2nd]

Okay, just picked my car up from the bodyshop after its yearly waxoil ;) and my mate said theres something wrong with the PAS...

well i hadn't noticed so i'm assuming it came on gradually, also had it serviced at offords earlier in the year and it had new PAS pipes and fluid while there(leaking pipes)

so now its been brought to my attention something definitely doesn't seem right, basically with the car static but engine running when you turn the steering wheel (in either direction) the level of effort required seems to vary i.e. for i bit of the turn i is nice and lite then it will almost stick and be far more difficult to turn, then go lite again then heavy etc etc

any ideas? done a search but didn't come up with much :(

[the jiffle king]

I assume yuou've checked the PAS fluid?

Do you get any white smoke which could be the fluid dripping onto something hot?

Any noises when you turn the steering wheel?

Any other leaks on the steering rack?

These are the questions I was asked when my steering rack went, and I had to have it re-conditioned

T-J-K

[neejah]

Could be a sticking valve (that diverts the fluid to either end of the rack), had a similar problem on an Alfa 75.

[Mad Mitch]

Hi mate. I had a similar problem with my Chym even though it doesn`t have power steering.It was the coupling at the bottom of the steering column that had siezed causing heavy areas as i was fighting against the joint, worth a try.

[Prunus]

I had same/similar with PAS and thought I needed a new steering rack or something equally expensive in the PAS unit.

David Batty replaced the UJ at the end of the steering column for about thirty bob and it's now right as rain.

[Nano2nd]

cool thanks guys, haven't chance to have a poke around yet, i was jutt wondering if it was a common fault

will check for leaks and the fluid later and report back.

Hopefully it will be the UJ or something simple, PAS racks are expensive!

[sparky11]

Hi,

I get the same thing every six months or so - I just need to re-grease the steering column UJ (at both ends) with some spray grease.

At some point in the future i'll get a boot for the joint to stop it drying out but it doesn't cause a major problem mostly.

Good luck!!!

Mark