Intermittent power steering problem...
Intermittent power steering problem...
Author
Discussion

Bill

Original Poster:

58,903 posts

286 months

Monday 1st April 2013
quotequote all
On an 08 Transit 2.4 Tdci rwd. (I know,the shame redface)

I assume it's the pump failing but want to narrow it down before I take it to see a man tomorrow.

Sometimes it's absolutely fine, and until today I'd have said it was only tight turns at low revs ( even then it was generally just a judder) but its worsening. The belt and fluid levels are fine and I haven't noticed any noise (although I thought there was a couple of days ago, but we were next to an artic...)

Any ideas? It looks like there was a recall and my van has had the bit fitted.

And it's only done 10k rolleyes

MJK 24

5,679 posts

267 months

Monday 1st April 2013
quotequote all
Might sound a bit random but have you checked your tyre pressures? The mother said the PAS was failing on her Passat. I have a look and the fluid etc was fine but the steering was juddery when stationary and didn't feel 100% when manoeuvring slowly. Front tyres were only around 15psi

The Wookie

14,209 posts

259 months

Monday 1st April 2013
quotequote all
What's happening mate, is it just juddering or is it losing assistance?

Bill

Original Poster:

58,903 posts

286 months

Monday 1st April 2013
quotequote all
It started with juddering but is more like lost now, albeit intermittently.

The Wookie

14,209 posts

259 months

Monday 1st April 2013
quotequote all
Strange! Unless its a faulty hose (some have an internal tube of a specific length to stop said groaning and juddering) then pretty much the only thing it could be is the pump! Can't think of any problem with the valve or ram that would cause that!

Bill

Original Poster:

58,903 posts

286 months

Monday 1st April 2013
quotequote all
Yep, it's odd. It started badly this morning, then was absolutely fine for a bit, then broke for an hour or so, and then worked fine for the last few minutes until I needed full lock. I did switch off and back on a few times, which corresponded with each change, but it's a bit perculiar.

joewilliams

2,004 posts

232 months

Monday 1st April 2013
quotequote all
I had similar issues with my mondeo; solved with a new pump.

The Wookie

14,209 posts

259 months

Tuesday 2nd April 2013
quotequote all
Bill said:
Yep, it's odd. It started badly this morning, then was absolutely fine for a bit, then broke for an hour or so, and then worked fine for the last few minutes until I needed full lock. I did switch off and back on a few times, which corresponded with each change, but it's a bit perculiar.
If it's occurring when you hit full lock it could be a faulty/sticking pressure relief valve in the pump.

When you hit full lock flow stops and the valve opens, perhaps it's getting stuck open and giving no pressure to the rack afterwards until it's got no pressure (when you switch the engine off) where it settles back again.

Bill

Original Poster:

58,903 posts

286 months

Tuesday 2nd April 2013
quotequote all
It's not that consistent, annoyingly. It seemed to be only after a turn or so of lock, so small to medium roundabouts or around campsites, until yesterday. Interesting thought about the valve, I'll have an experiment when we move again.

Thanks for all the suggestions, I wish it was just the tyre pressures biggrin

Now, anyone know a good garage near Perpignan?

N Dentressangle

3,453 posts

253 months

Tuesday 2nd April 2013
quotequote all
Bill said:
It's not that consistent, annoyingly. It seemed to be only after a turn or so of lock, so small to medium roundabouts or around campsites, until yesterday. Interesting thought about the valve, I'll have an experiment when we move again.

Thanks for all the suggestions, I wish it was just the tyre pressures biggrin

Now, anyone know a good garage near Perpignan?
So you're saying you're too much of a nancy boy to make it back to Blighty without PAS?

You'll be asking us to come and adjust the mirrors next... wink

The Wookie

14,209 posts

259 months

Tuesday 2nd April 2013
quotequote all
N Dentressangle said:
So you're saying you're too much of a nancy boy to make it back to Blighty without PAS?

You'll be asking us to come and adjust the mirrors next... wink
Agreed MTFU hehe

AJS-

15,366 posts

267 months

Tuesday 2nd April 2013
quotequote all
A 5 year old transit with 10,000 miles on the clock?

N Dentressangle

3,453 posts

253 months

Tuesday 2nd April 2013
quotequote all
AJS- said:
A 5 year old transit with 10,000 miles on the clock?
It's a camper van, and the OP has a rolled up copy of the Telegraph on the dashboard.

james0

330 posts

237 months

Tuesday 2nd April 2013
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Had a brand new 2002 Astra van with random power steering shutdown. Pretty unnerving and dangerous when it happened mid corner as its much heavier than normal unassisted steering, turning it off and on again got it working again for a bit. It was due to the alternator wiring being loose according to Vauxhall. It happened again so they replaced the alternator. Not sure if an electrical fault would cause the same on a Transit or if Transits have good old purely Hydraulic PAS.

Bill

Original Poster:

58,903 posts

286 months

Tuesday 2nd April 2013
quotequote all
N Dentressangle said:
It's a camper van, and the OP has a rolled up copy of the Telegraph on the dashboard.
Pox off, it's Le Monde biggrin

I've had another rummage around and it looks like the pulley is plastic and has sheared off the metal centre that bolts to the pump. IYSWIM...

The Wookie

14,209 posts

259 months

Tuesday 2nd April 2013
quotequote all
Bill said:
I've had another rummage around and it looks like the pulley is plastic and has sheared off the metal centre that bolts to the pump. IYSWIM...
Yeah that'll do it hehe

Bill

Original Poster:

58,903 posts

286 months

Tuesday 2nd April 2013
quotequote all
Apparently : D

The only remaining question is whether the pump's borked and that's caused the pulley failure. Oh, and whether I can get Ford to sell me a pulley without the pump scratchchin