Steering feels Heavy

[jensena]

I sold my Chim 4.5 to a friend a few months ago, he's just rung me up to say the steering this morning feels really heavy, advised him to check tyres and PAS, but can't remember for the life of me where the PAS fluid reservoir is - he is mechanically a total ******, hasn't got a clue, so no used telling him to look for it!
Can someone quickly give me a detailed description of where it is, and also any other ideas as to why the steering may have gone heavy.

Many thanks

[Podie]

PAS reservoir is near the plenum (big metal bit). Will have a black plastic cap on it, and probably a dodgy motif of a steering wheel. Easiest to get to it from drivers side.

Did he check the tyre pressures...?

Edited by Podie on Thursday 8th June 11:01

[blujay10]

The PAS fluid reservoir is on the drivers side of the Plenium Chamber

[jensena]

Thanks Guys - I'll tell him its near the 'Big Metal thing' - He'll be totally bemused if I say its near the plenum !!
I'll tell him to check the tyres too (the 4 big round black things).

He reckons it's just suddenly become very heavy - it is a well maintained Chim, so hope it's nothing serious.

[dight-s]

sounds to me like it's developed a pas fluid leak. cetainly topping up the fluid to see if it improves is a good idea. just need to fix the leak then?

[pjac67]

At what speed? - Mine feels heavy when stationary

[Alex]

Also, check the steering column UV joint under the OS wheelarch. They get covered in crud and eventually seize, requiring replacement.

[IM]

Tell him to get down the gym.

[Podie]

dight-s said:

sounds to me like it's developed a pas fluid leak. cetainly topping up the fluid to see if it improves is a good idea. just need to fix the leak then?

Could be. PAS fluid is very thin... makes a right sodding mess... and the warmer temperatures may not have helped...

TBH the PAS design is pretty crap, and most of them leak at some point...

[the gazman]

My one told me when the fluid was low by making a godawful row.

[Fatboychim]

Mine leaks a little where the fluid pipe goes onto the U bend down the bottom of the engine bay. Every so often i fix it, but it generally returns in a few months. I just top up the fluid every 8 weeks or so. Its also very cost effective chassis protection as PAS is cheaper than waxoil....