No power steering

[bobbins]

I've lost power steering since a new battery was fitted to my 98 4.5 yesterday. I'm going to check the fluid level but before I do I'm wondering could it be that a hose/sensor has been disrupted when fitting the battery, or maybe when the windscreen panel was being taken off, or put back on.

Any of you experienced this - or got any ideas?

Cheers...

[jbvipercerb]

The power steering system is all on the bottom of the drivers side of the engine (pump and hoses) and these just go to the steering rack, at the front of the engine, Unfortunateley this is nowhere near the battery. If all the fluid is in then it sounds like the pump drive keyway has broken.
Try to see if the drive flange on the steering pump is turning when the engine is running, if you look from the drivers side front of the engine at the bottom, you should be able to just see it.

[sonnylad]

Do you know if its been converted to the electric power steering ?

I've never seen one converted so have no idea on how power cables are connected up, but this is the only situation that could result in loss of power steering after only fitting a new battery.

Russ

[bobbins]

Didn't think I'd dislodged anything but you never know.

Pretty sure it hasn't been converted to electric pump. I've noticed once or twice at slow speed it's been a bit heavy but never had problems with it moving until now.

Will see if I can get anywhere tomorrow.

Cheers guys - any more thoughts welcome.

[THE BIG DOG]

Also check you stearing UV Joint. I thought my Power Steering went and it was the stearing UV Joint that siezed up. Just went with no warning. Got in it one day and felt very heavy and would not correct back to the centre when driving. Worth a look.

[bobbins]

Ta TBD. Would take that. Can't be as labour-intensive to fix.

[bobbins]

Okay - just been out and unloaded a tin of WD40 on the joint and all around. It all looked pretty clean around there before I did.

Took it out for a run straight away but no real difference, so gonna leave the juice to work its magic and try again later.

PS fluid looked clean enough and was at the right level.

Any more thoughts?

[THE BIG DOG]

bobbins said:

Ta TBD. Would take that. Can't be as labour-intensive to fix.

Part was only 40quid and my mate done it in about an hour if I remember . Was a bit when going around a bend and the steering wouldn't pull it back central.

[bobbins]

It's going back central fine - just too much like hard work going round corners and roundabouts, and I'm gonna end up like Popeye with the low speed manoeuvring.

[Duke Thrust]

Woodruff key sheared on the pump drive?

[Gazzab]

You will damage your steering column if you drive without the pas.

[bobbins]

I feared that Gazza. Getting it checked out later this week. Should only have done 70-80 miles by then.