Steering.

cavmad · Post by **cavmad** » Wed Oct 19, 2005 8:33 am

I`m currently experiencing some steering problems-going heavy at times and doesn`t feel too good.
I have seen the cure for this (using Hydraflush and bleeding the LHM via the brakes) but I have a question which is asked in all innocence:
Can the Hydraflush be used without bleeding the brakes? What I was thinking was can I empty the LHM reservoir and fill with the flush, drive the car round the block a few times and operate the suspension on all levels so it circulates through the system then is there a way to empty the reservoir and fill with new LHM?
I have no intention of doing this until/unless I know it is safe, just wondered if anyone thinks this would work or has tried it themselves.
Cheers in advance,

sleepy0905 · Post by **sleepy0905** » Wed Oct 19, 2005 8:54 am

I would do the brakes as well as the flush has to be in for quite a few miles I had mine in for 3000 miles it was frightening to see the crap it had moved back to the filters .

cavmad · Post by **cavmad** » Wed Oct 19, 2005 9:45 am

Thanks. I`ve since been told it`s more likely it`s the pump that`s the problem.The biggest worry now is whether it`s safe to drive on holiday on holiday next week as it is. I won`t take it if it`s not safe but I can`t afford to get it done either. I may seek out a cheap replacement car for the interim though, over to eBay and some sneaky tactics methinks!

sleepy0905 · Post by **sleepy0905** » Wed Oct 19, 2005 9:59 am

Changing the pump is easy it doesnt take long its only 2 bolts and 2 pipes i did mine in about 30 minutes.

cavmad · Post by **cavmad** » Wed Oct 19, 2005 10:13 am

Does the pump need bleeding after it`s been fitted mate? I think I have a spare with the car, I`ll need to sort out my garage and see if I can find it!

sleepy0905 · Post by **sleepy0905** » Wed Oct 19, 2005 10:19 am

yes it will but it isnt that difficult take the pump feed pipe of at the resevoir and using a funnel fill the pump and pipe with lhm then reatatch the pipe start the car let it run for a few minutes then tighten the 12mm bleed screw on the pressure regulator and it should then rise no problem you may need to do this procedure a couple of times to get all the air out of the pump.

ken newbold · Post by **ken newbold** » Wed Oct 19, 2005 12:23 pm

I dont know if this job is listed in Haynes but it has to be a 1 spanner task.

cavmad · Post by **cavmad** » Wed Oct 19, 2005 2:27 pm

Thankyou fellas. Now to be a pain can someone please tell me exactly where the pump is situated (and apolgies if I`ve asked that before!) or even better had someone a diagram they could post up please? It`s 1.9 TGD diesel estate if it makes any odds, about a `91/`92.
I`m going to see if I have a spare pump which I`m told I have and work in conjunction with a local garage to get it done.
Off outside in a minute to bodge the passenger door glass back up. I obviously need a longer piece of wood!

jeremy · Post by **jeremy** » Wed Oct 19, 2005 3:20 pm

The pump on the diesel sits over the gearbox in the middle of the engine/gearbox unit and is driven by a pulley on the end of the camshaft. Diesel pumps are not interchangeable with any others.

If I haven't said it before - make sure the belt is really tight and in good condition.

jeremy

cavmad · Post by **cavmad** » Wed Oct 19, 2005 4:33 pm

Thanks Jeremy, just had a quick look and found the offending item. The steering is going from loose to tight whenever it feels like it and I`m unsure about how safe the car is to use. Suspension rises and falles effortlessly and brakes are fine but I`m still concerned.
Would I be correct in assuming there`s a chance the steering may fail altogther and cause an accident? If I just lose the power assistance I won`t worry too much I could live with that for a shortwhile but don`t want the car to lose all steering (obviously!).
Any thoughts/advice would be very gratefully received.

Stewart (oily!) · Post by **Stewart (oily!)** » Wed Oct 19, 2005 4:41 pm

Sounds like crap floating around in the system, the power steering fault you describe often disappears following a major LHM leak or event, try loosening the pressure relese bolt and letting the brute idle for a few minutes then tightening it up again, if not then its hydraflush for you my lad! If you are stuck then I have a few spare pumps, its also worth digitally checking the LHM level.

Stewart

Oscar · Post by **Oscar** » Wed Oct 19, 2005 5:16 pm

The pump change is not difficult, even a one-spannered mechanic like myself can manage it!

I have had heavy steering in mine since I bought it and am developing a big set of shoulders from hauling it around. It's not a safety issue and has passed the MOT. It does detract from driving it as a whole, and as it's not the pump that's the prob, I need to now look at refurbing the pinion valve and/or the FDV. As these are both fiddly jobs, I've put it all on the long finger....

Post by **mat_fenwick** » Wed Oct 19, 2005 5:32 pm

You won't lose the steering completely as there always has to be a mechanical link between the wheels and the steering wheel.

However, it's not a nice feeling - I had the same problem with mine briefly and almost hit a kerb when the assistance suddenly came back. Mine was cured by pumping the height up and down a few times and then draining + refilling with fresh LHM.

cavmad · Post by **cavmad** » Wed Oct 19, 2005 5:39 pm

Stewart (oily!) wrote:Sounds like crap floating around in the system, the power steering fault you describe often disappears following a major LHM leak or event, try loosening the pressure relese bolt and letting the brute idle for a few minutes then tightening it up again, if not then its hydraflush for you my lad! If you are stuck then I have a few spare pumps, its also worth digitally checking the LHM level.
Stewart

Thanks to all (again). Stewart, where can i find this pressure relief bolt you mentioned please? I`m happy to try that first and if no improvement I`ll get the holiday out of the way and then try and get it done properly-assuming I haven`t sold it before I get round to fixing the problem (see BX`s for sale and wanted).

Stewart (oily!) · Post by **Stewart (oily!)** » Wed Oct 19, 2005 5:45 pm

Look down the front of the motor, see where the Accumulator sphere is? on one of the blocks of gubbins there you will see a smooth headed 12mm bolt facing forwards (pointing at yer knees) its about the only 12mm thing down there, if you loosen it three quarters of a turn you should hear the sound of pressure squelching back to the reservoir (engine off) just loosen it and let the car idle for a minute or two.
DO THIS FROM ABOVE, THE CAR SHOULD DROP AND WILL SQUASH YOU.
Have fun!
Stewart