help - power steering playing silly buggers!

[bakes_1973]

98 chim 4.0. gradually over the last couple of weeks the pas has been getting heavier and heavier. at low speed after turning the steering is not self correcting - thus spinning it last week. nice when youre wide awake on the way to work. it hasnt stopped working altogether and is better at high speeds.

fluid level ok and clean enough. could it be the pump? does anyone know where the pump is from - range rover? where can i get one and how much do you think?

thanks for all your help.

[RichardR]

Power steering? I've heard of that!

[Byff]

I thought my power steering was on the way out. Steering turned out to be fine - it helps if you put air in the tyres - Doh!

[shpub]

I would think that the problem is elsewhere... Either flat tyre, or bent or misaligned suspension. The self centering is more of a function of the tyres and geometry. Worth checking PDQ has you could have a serious problem which makes the car unsafe to drive. I would get this checked before spending a couple of hundred pounds for a new pump on the off chance. Pumps rarely fail. Usually it is leaks or the rack.


Steve
www.tvrbooks.co.uk



>> Edited by shpub on Tuesday 24th December 08:48

[GreenV8S]

98 chim 4.0. gradually over the last couple of weeks the pas has been getting heavier and heavier. at low speed after turning the steering is not self correcting - thus spinning it last week. nice when youre wide awake on the way to work. it hasnt stopped working altogether and is better at high speeds.

fluid level ok and clean enough. could it be the pump? does anyone know where the pump is from - range rover? where can i get one and how much do you think?

thanks for all your help.

Have you check the condition of the steering column UJs recently?

[hexhamhc]

I would agree with Green V8S, almost certainly down to the two steering column u/j's starting to seize up. As a short term fix you could soak the u/j's with WD40 or something similar whilst turning the steering from lock to lock. The top u/j is situated in the wheel arch and the bottom u/j where the column joins the rack,visible in the engine bay. If you have any doubts about the steering after this do not drive the car without having it checked out properly. Merry Christmas!