Does anyone have Citroen electric PAS?

[robsco]

When I first picked up the Cerb, I imagined that the heavy steering was just an attribute of the car. Track V Road improved it when it went in for its service last month, but it still isn't half heavy at low speeds. I'm told it shouldn't be this way. There is a receipt in the file from Dulfords for fitment of a Citroen electric power steering pump, which I understand many owners have had fitted due to Woodruff key failures on the standard mechanical systems?

Does anyone here use the Citroen PAS system? If so, is the extra weight just a trade off for lower repair costs, or should it be as effective as the standard system?

ETA - Anyone from the Yorkshire area at the PH Malton meet on Oct 16th?

Edited by robsco on Wednesday 21st September 17:53

[Barkychoc]

I converted a V8S to power steering using a Chim rack and the citroen pump.
The steering was still quite heavy - nothing like a modern car although parking was a breeze compared to the manual steering.
I hadn't had the suspension setup at that point though after a full rebuild - I have since sold the car but gizzardio is the new owner and he's had the geometry sorted - I'm sure he'll give you an independent view of it now.

Edited to add I do know he got the suspension setup at TrackVRoad - Rob the new owner is Manchester way so depending on your location he might not be far from you.

[steviejasp]

Mine has the electric pump.
It doesnt feel too heavy to be honest. When i blew the fuse, then it was HEAVY!
Ive never driven one with standard PAS, so cant compare, sorry.

[itiejim]

I swapped my 4.5 over to the Citroen pump as a part of preventative maintenance when I rebuilt the engine.

TBH I find it fine, a little heavier than my Clio 172 at parking speeds, but generally fine and much more consistent than the standard pump.

[ukkid35]

Heavy steering when driving rather than parking can be due to incorrect toe-in, however you would expect uneven tyre wear to betray an alignment problem.

[robsco]

Thanks for the replies all. Geometry is perfect, perhaps i should just man up!

[Cerb999]

I had the Saxo electric pump fitted last year and it doesn't feel any heavier than the original, until the fuse blows!

Out of interest, what ampage fuse do people have? Mine was 40A but blew twice so I've put a Maxi 50A one in and so far so good. I wondered if this was unusual?

[ridds]

I've been running a 40A for 3 years now.

What gauge wire have you got to and from the pump? tbh it sounds like your pump may be on it's way out.

[FarmyardPants]

Also check UJs on the steering column (drivers side wheel arch) as these can cause heavy steering.

[bobbins]

Spiders can take some shifting at low speed Rob, mine's the same.

[robsco]

Its partly your car that put the thought in my head as well as the guys at Track Simon. I recall your steering being very light, though maybe the mind is playing tricks...

[robsco]

Went out in the car last night, ended up getting lost. A three point turn ensued, and all of a sudden the steering went really light as if the PAS was working properly all of a sudden. It's now gone back heavy again. Any ideas?

[Tanguero]

FarmyardPants said:

Also check UJs on the steering column (drivers side wheel arch) as these can cause heavy steering.

This! Steering suddenly going light then heavy again is can be a symptom of either of the UJs begining to fail.

[robsco]

Could an absolute muppet change them by himself? Got to be worth a try. Cheers.

[Tanguero]

robsco said:

Could an absolute muppet change them by himself? Got to be worth a try. Cheers.

Possibly

To check them, try jacking the front up and putting it on axle stands so that both front wheels are off the ground, then turning the steering wheel from lock to lock (with the engine off). If it crunches or goes stiff then slack again it is a fair indication that at least one of the UJs needs changing.

You change them from the drivers wheel arch. Make sure the car is on axle stands. Don't just rely on a jack! It is only a couple of bolts to undo on each joint, but you will have to take the bolts out of both of them to get enough free play to get either of them off completely. Mark the shafts with the steering straight ahead so you can get it all back pointing in the right direction.