Loss of Power Steering

[hvanman]

Originally the steering lost assistance badly on roundabouts etc. so I changed the main pump for another one that seems slightly less tired and this improved things a bit.
I recently changed the front sub frame, rack and assorted other parts including the FDV and accumulator sphere (both of unknown ability, but the accumulator seems to be holding pressure well).
Now with this different rack and different FDV I am getting occasions (at present seems any slow speed manoeuvres) when there is no assistance at all, making it very hard to turn the wheel. I had planned to change the FDV as I have a spare on unknown quality, but am still wondering if it is the pump at fault?
The lack of assistance is now making the car very unpleasant to drive around town, so really want to get this fixed. Anyone have any suggestions on where I should start (I'm on a very tight budget, so can't afford to change the pump for a decent one).

Thanks, Simon.

[mat_fenwick]

How clean are the filters/LHM? It's a common problem but at least a filter clean is a cheap cure to try out.

[themildbunch]

Yes, that and replace the LHM with hydraflush - it's cheaper than LHM - made a big difference and has virtually stopped my intermittent heavy PAS..

I'd look at the FDV next they can be rebuilt or replacements supplied by Pleiades. I had to change mine recently as it was leaking too much for the MOT - took the quick route and bought one, about £90 IIRC.

I've read on other threads they can get blocked and / or their internal filters break up causing blockages and PAS problems.

[Dollywobbler]

My Mk1 was really bad for this. It's running Hydraflush at the moment and is behaving (about 500 miles until I drain and refill with clean LHM). My Mk2 was doing this - the filters were clagged up. I just changed the filters, which has lasted about 1000 miles so I'm going to have to Hydraflush that next.

[hvanman]

The LHM on this car "looks" excellent, very fresh and bright, but I will check the filter as it's an easy thing to do. I did wonder about some form of blockage, as it doesn't fail all the time, so maybe I will swap the FDV for another since I have a spare or two (one leaks though and can't remember which one now!!) and if that does not help, maybe look into the hydrflush route. Is there a best (i.e.cheapest) place to get it from?

Cheers

[MULLEY]

GSF is where i got my hydraflush from. I'd swap the FDV as the last thing to do, i'd recommend that you do the Best way (there are 2 methods) to remove all the lhm inc the deadstops within the system, replace with hydraflush, run for approx 2k & then remove it al & replace with LHM, see if that clears up the issue. If not, change the FDV with a known good one or with one that's been re-conditioned & if that still doesn't fix the issue, then it's probably the pump unfortunately All the best with getting it sorted, it's a pain when it keeps coming on & off all the time, it does make driving a bit akward.

[hvanman]

Thanks, I will give it a go as soon as I can get some time on the car. Last week it was very bad, this week better, very frustrating...

[Dollywobbler]

Hotter weather. Can make an improvement! My mk2 has been behaving itself this week.

[mds141]

The HP pump belt isn't slipping slightly is it?

[hvanman]

I wonder which part is effected the most by the weather? The LHM is new, so I guess that won't change a lot.

I have just changed the belt, as the old one was slipping after it got LHM on it during the sub frame swap..... so it's nice and tight.

[mat_fenwick]

I can't see why the viscosity/temperature relationship of the LHM (which I would think is the biggest factor) would change whether it was old or new. I would expect new LHM to have a higher viscosity, as the molecular chains may get sheared over time. The drive belt will probably have less grip when extremely cold and therefore more likely to slip but so long as it's not slipping it doesn't matter.