What could be causing my heavy steering?
Discussion
I have a Honda CRV 2002. Since I got it over a year ago, the steering has always felt overly heavy at lower speeds, when parking its often not really possible to turn the wheel with one hand easily.
The pump is not whining. Tyre pressures are fine.
Is it possible it is just a very old pump that isn't as good now?
I drained a refilled the power steering reservoir a few times with genuine fluid a while ago and that didn't really make much difference.
Sometimes, first thing in the morning when the car is cold the steering feels lighter, noticeably. But then as soon as the car has warmed up it is back to heavy again.
This is mostly an issue at low speeds. Any ideas?
The pump is not whining. Tyre pressures are fine.
Is it possible it is just a very old pump that isn't as good now?
I drained a refilled the power steering reservoir a few times with genuine fluid a while ago and that didn't really make much difference.
Sometimes, first thing in the morning when the car is cold the steering feels lighter, noticeably. But then as soon as the car has warmed up it is back to heavy again.
This is mostly an issue at low speeds. Any ideas?
Assuming your tyre pressures are ok and your gauge is accurate then try jacking up both front wheels and checking that the wheels turn freely.
There may be partial seizing of steering components ie ball joints, top mounts, track rod ends, column u/j or shaft bearing.
You say the pump is not noisy so that would rule out a worn pump or blocked filter screen and its unlikely that the belt is slipping.
CRVs are prone to crankshaft pulley/harmonic dampers coming apart but this would surely be obvious after all this time.
There may be partial seizing of steering components ie ball joints, top mounts, track rod ends, column u/j or shaft bearing.
You say the pump is not noisy so that would rule out a worn pump or blocked filter screen and its unlikely that the belt is slipping.
CRVs are prone to crankshaft pulley/harmonic dampers coming apart but this would surely be obvious after all this time.
VanDiesel99 said:
I'd be inclined to change the PAS fluid, its likely past its best
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gman88667733 said:
I drained a refilled the power steering reservoir a few times with genuine fluid a while ago and that didn't really make much difference.
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kev b said:
You say the pump is not noisy so that would rule out a worn pump
It does no such thing. PS pumps tend to be vane type pumps, if the vanes are stuck or the housing is badly worn then the pump can easily produce less flow and pressure without being noisy.The fact that it works better when cold (thicker hydraulic oil, higher idle RPM) suggests either the pump is worn internally or the piston seals within the rack are leaking.
kev b said:
Assuming your tyre pressures are ok and your gauge is accurate then try jacking up both front wheels and checking that the wheels turn freely.
There may be partial seizing of steering components ie ball joints, top mounts, track rod ends, column u/j or shaft bearing.
You say the pump is not noisy so that would rule out a worn pump or blocked filter screen and its unlikely that the belt is slipping.
CRVs are prone to crankshaft pulley/harmonic dampers coming apart but this would surely be obvious after all this time.
Pressures are definitely OK. If the wheels turn freely, what could it be?There may be partial seizing of steering components ie ball joints, top mounts, track rod ends, column u/j or shaft bearing.
You say the pump is not noisy so that would rule out a worn pump or blocked filter screen and its unlikely that the belt is slipping.
CRVs are prone to crankshaft pulley/harmonic dampers coming apart but this would surely be obvious after all this time.
There are no obvious signs of big issues to be honest, slightly clunking suspension bushes at the front end, but it was heavy to steer before that and nothing was picked up at MOT time.
PAS fluid was changed, not flushed, but I emptied the tank and refilled it after a quick drive a few times at least.
The screen at the bottom of the tank looked fine, no blockages.
LimSlip said:
It does no such thing. PS pumps tend to be vane type pumps, if the vanes are stuck or the housing is badly worn then the pump can easily produce less flow and pressure without being noisy.
The fact that it works better when cold (thicker hydraulic oil, higher idle RPM) suggests either the pump is worn internally or the piston seals within the rack are leaking.
That is very helpful, thank you.The fact that it works better when cold (thicker hydraulic oil, higher idle RPM) suggests either the pump is worn internally or the piston seals within the rack are leaking.
If the seals within the rack are leaking. Is it a new rack that is required? Or can they be fixed?
The pump is the cheaper option, so it's whether I risk it and stick a new pump on first, or if I get my local garage to check the rack for me - Unless it'll be obvious to tell when jacked up, that is.
gman88667733 said:
Sometimes, first thing in the morning when the car is cold the steering feels lighter, noticeably. But then as soon as the car has warmed up it is back to heavy again.
Cold tyres? The steering on ours is noticeably heavy compared to most other cars, but then I attributed that to the overly large/245width tyres.
On the TVR the steering is significantly heavier on hot days and/or when the tyres are hotter/stickier.
tejr said:
Cold tyres?
The steering on ours is noticeably heavy compared to most other cars, but then I attributed that to the overly large/245width tyres.
On the TVR the steering is significantly heavier on hot days and/or when the tyres are hotter/stickier.
Potentially...The steering on ours is noticeably heavy compared to most other cars, but then I attributed that to the overly large/245width tyres.
On the TVR the steering is significantly heavier on hot days and/or when the tyres are hotter/stickier.
It is just a shock coming from any other vehicle, at speed it is fine, it is mostly just at lower speeds that it becomes a real pain
tejr said:
Cold tyres?
The steering on ours is noticeably heavy compared to most other cars, but then I attributed that to the overly large/245width tyres.
On the TVR the steering is significantly heavier on hot days and/or when the tyres are hotter/stickier.
Just to add to your comments. My CRV has 205 width tyres, so narrower than yours. I do think something is amiss, it feels heavier than it should be, even given it may have heavier steering to begin with.The steering on ours is noticeably heavy compared to most other cars, but then I attributed that to the overly large/245width tyres.
On the TVR the steering is significantly heavier on hot days and/or when the tyres are hotter/stickier.
gman88667733 said:
That is very helpful, thank you.
If the seals within the rack are leaking. Is it a new rack that is required? Or can they be fixed?
The pump is the cheaper option, so it's whether I risk it and stick a new pump on first, or if I get my local garage to check the rack for me - Unless it'll be obvious to tell when jacked up, that is.
A rack can be rebuilt and seals replaced provided the housing itself isn't badly worn, though sourcing new seals yourself might be a chore. There are plenty of places that specialise in reconditioning racks if that's the problem. Might be worth taking a pump off and having a look inside though, they are not complex devices and excessive wear or stuck vanes etc will be easy to spot.If the seals within the rack are leaking. Is it a new rack that is required? Or can they be fixed?
The pump is the cheaper option, so it's whether I risk it and stick a new pump on first, or if I get my local garage to check the rack for me - Unless it'll be obvious to tell when jacked up, that is.
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