Occasionally heavy steering

Dollywobbler · Post by **Dollywobbler** » Thu Jan 07, 2010 12:35 pm

Just updating on this one. It had been getting worse, so I haven't been using the BX much lately. Intermittent power steering + ice and snow = not much fun!!

I've got the car booked in for FDV replacement. It rises quickly enough, so I'm not convinced the pump is at fault. Interestingly today, first time I've used the BX for about a week, the steering was generally fine on the way in. Slowly turning the wheel with the car stationary resulted in a very slight jittery feel through the wheel, but on the move, the car was consistent in its assistance.

I'm hoping to get the car in this weekend so I'll report back once all's done.

Post by **docchevron** » Thu Jan 07, 2010 1:28 pm

Still sounds like the pump TBH..

ken newbold · Post by **ken newbold** » Thu Jan 07, 2010 2:52 pm

Not sure why you're changing the FDV

I'm pretty sure it's your pump, and the pump is much easier to change than the FDV

Linegeist · Post by **Linegeist** » Thu Jan 07, 2010 4:14 pm

How d'you get your hands on a decent pump without spending £200???

jonathan_dyane · Post by **jonathan_dyane** » Thu Jan 07, 2010 4:29 pm

I'd put money on the problem being the pump too...

Matt H · Post by **Matt H** » Thu Jan 07, 2010 4:43 pm

I guess I'll be buying a new pump then... Mine is displaying similar, but not quite as severe symptoms. I'll try flushing it first, but it's just one of those things I guess.

Can you still buy them new or are they all recon?

MULLEY · Post by **MULLEY** » Thu Jan 07, 2010 5:33 pm

I'd be interested in knowing where you can get recon pumps. Has anyone on here actually taken one apart & recon'd it themselves?

ken newbold · Post by **ken newbold** » Thu Jan 07, 2010 8:16 pm

Playdees, or however you choose to spell it.

Brian · Post by **Brian** » Thu Jan 07, 2010 8:55 pm

I have never seen or heard of anyone that has successfully taken apart a BX pump without breaking either the casing or the pulley, let alone recon one.
I would be interested to know if it has been done.

I am sure this has been mentioned many times before, but you do require to tension the pump belt very very very tight.

You may think it is ok, but sometimes it is not possible to tighten the belt to the required point, because the slotted hole in the flat curved plate is not long enough, and the pinch bolt is at the end of the slot.

Either a new belt of the correct length is required, or extent the slot in the plate to allow for more movement.

Good luck

Dollywobbler · Post by **Dollywobbler** » Thu Jan 07, 2010 9:36 pm

This is annoyingly confusing. On here, everyone says pump. Anywhere else, FDV is the culprit - with the pinion something or other being another possibility. Yet there seems to be no way to diagnose what's actually at fault other than replace each (expensive!) component in turn.

If it was the pump, wouldn't it struggle with the suspension? She's quick to lift.

MULLEY · Post by **MULLEY** » Thu Jan 07, 2010 9:53 pm

Don't worn out pumps become quite warm to touch? I also thought that a worn pump also makes some noise, or can it also be silent & still buggered?

ken newbold · Post by **ken newbold** » Thu Jan 07, 2010 9:54 pm

Not necessarily, the PAS has priority over the suspension in the plumbing.

I've come across this problem so many times now I can't count. Only once was it the FDV, in that case the PAS didn't work at all. The pinion valve I've only had to change once, because it was leaking.

The pumps are the easiest thing to change, so that's where I'd be starting. Then the FDV, then if it's the pinion valve, get rid of the car

Can't you source a secondhand pump from anywhere?

Yes worn pumps do tend to be noisy, but I've know very noisy pumps last for years

MULLEY · Post by **MULLEY** » Thu Jan 07, 2010 9:56 pm

Couldnt dirty lhm also be part of the problem, i thought that you were going to hydraflush the car?

TBH, if you're worried about costs, try hydraflush 1st, thats the cheapest option.

Dollywobbler · Post by **Dollywobbler** » Thu Jan 07, 2010 9:59 pm

Ok, flushing sounds like a good plan. I might see if I can give it the flush treatment on Saturday. I'm getting a bit jumpy because I'm about to go on holiday. In Scotland. The 2CV's meant to be taking the strain this time, but is suffering exhaust issues, so the BX is back-up...

jonathan_dyane · Post by **jonathan_dyane** » Fri Jan 08, 2010 10:22 am

The steering has very different requirements to the rest of the system. The steering is a conventional system of a design that mirrors that used in Peugeots and unlike the suspension and brakes which requires low flow but high pressure, the steering requires a much higher flow rate but lower pressure. When a pump is tired it can pressurise ok, but not keep up with the flow demands for the steering.

All of the pumps I have replaced still raised the car in an acceptable manner, they just could no longer keep up with the power steering.