Power steering help please

[mlarj]

My power steering has started playing up, from cold I don't have any assisted steering initially. After pulling out of the drive it starts working. The belt this morning squeaked as if it was slipping and was making a 'brushing' noise on and off. Finally, I think the engine is being loaded more than normal, certainly when cold the revs are dropping very low when coming off throttle.

I'm thinking the pump is on its way out, there is no sign of any leaks and the fluid level is fine etc. Does anyone have any ideas or know where I can get a replacement?

Thanks,

Mat

[andygtt]

agree sounds like your pump... not 100% sure what its off but it should be an ST220 item... failing that go to noble dealer, in truth they are usually around 10% more than ford for same part but at least you know its the right part.

What I would do is take the pump off and see if there is play etc in it, if belt is slipping then you alternator and air con will also be suffering so worth checking the tensioner isnt stuck as well as could cause similar symptom if it was.

[TuxMan]

As Andy says sounds like the pump , slip the belt of and spin it by hand , should run smoothly . Pretty sure Jetstream have some spare pumps .

[mlarj]

Thanks for the fast response, I will try and get the belt off this weekend and do some checks. The weather and imminent arrival of child version 2.0 might delay things!

Mat

[mgbond]

Just thinking of the basics, but have u checked fluid level?

[2.5bluenob]

mgbond said:

Just thinking of the basics, but have u checked fluid level?

original post says fluids are fine unless i miss read

[mgbond]

2.5bluenob said:

original post says fluids are fine unless i miss read

Just didn't read it all!

[mlarj]

OK, just been out and removed the belt, everything appears to turn smoothly unfortunately.

Unless anyone else has any other ideas, I guess I need to source another pump and change it, especially as the power steering doesn't appear to work on first start which would suggest something wrong with it?

On the subject of the revs dropping too low, do you think it might be unrelated? I have just changed the o2 sensors and I'm wondering if I need to reset the adaptive maps, if so, what is the procedure? (I have the Noble dealer software so I can use the inbuilt option).

Mat