Power steering problems

[Flyin Banana]

I took my chim out for a drive last week and the steering felt a little stiff to get it moving,almost as if it sticks and you have to force it to move the wheels, parked up turned the wheels from lock to lock afew times and it started to loosen up carried on driving it was fine, jumped back into it about an hour later and the same problem.

would this be caused buy lack of use, as im laying it up for winter now thinking of putting it on axle stands to take the weight off it, will that make a diffrence?

i bought the car about 18mths ago and it had done about 3000 miles in the last 6 yrs, i have only done about 1800 miles this year but they have been quite hard miles :-)

cheers Rob

[GTRene]

did you check the power steering oil level?
does the pump still works ok? belt etc.

[Flyin Banana]

the fluid level hasnt droped, not sure about belts and pumps when i turn the wheels to full lock theres no noises or anything unusual

Rob

[Dodsy]

I had exactly the same problem after a 2 month layup for chassis work. Both steering column ujs had seized up. One is in the os wheelarch the other in the engine bay. Had them cleaned up and regreased steering now 90% better.

I will probably get them replaced at the next service.

[GTRene]

that part sound "ok" then...

found a old article that person had the same as you discribe and the answer...
maybe also for your car

http://www.tyresmoke.net/forum/tvr/65088-chimaera-...

said:

car is now perfect, nothing to do with pump or rack, having further checked uj,s on intermediate shaft having removed column found top uj totally siezed up. 50 quid for a new one though and the car is better than it has ever been.

not so good in technical English but I think you know what they talk about...

[paulathome]

Rob,
Have you checked the two UJ's are not seizing up?
There are two. One in drivers side wheel arch, the other nearer to the steering rack.
Either of these would cause the simptoms you describe and are a much cheaper fix than a new rack.
Paul.

[Flyin Banana]

thanks for the replys guys, im not the most technical person, how would i check a uj, should there be any movement at all

cheers Rob

[Dodsy]

In my case i cleaned out the gunk with a screwdriver and shoved in some grease. This improved it a bit so took it to the garage who undid my bodge cleaned them properly then repacked with grease 1 hours labour so just take it to the garage. .... I know some people recommend a jet washer at close quarters then some plusgas then grease but i didnt have the time or equipment to do it properly

[EGB]

Stiff ujs may be a cause of power steering rack seal failures. Excess pressure. Some say they explode!See useful link for more info

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Edited by EGB on Sunday 4th November 10:27