power steering

goony · Post by **goony** » Sun Aug 27, 2006 10:41 pm

hi guys Ive got a problem with the stearing which ill try to describe

as i turn a corner it will be really stiff as if the power stearing isnt working then all of a sudden it kicks in and turns easily
and sometimes it starts to turn ok then gets really stiff as if its turned off

any help appreciated

goony

jeremy · Post by **jeremy** » Sun Aug 27, 2006 10:45 pm

Quite common - first - is the pump drive belt REALLY tight? - if it is then the pump has failed - and the replacement must be really good as the PAS takes a high volume of high pressure LHM - and so a pump that will lift the car satisfactorily will not necessarily power the steering.

Vanny · Post by **Vanny** » Sun Aug 27, 2006 10:50 pm

Check your LHM level, if its low you can end up with these symptoms!

Then check the belt as described.

Otherwise you could be looking at a sticking FDV, or a need to change the LHM. What ever is causing the problem should be a resonably inexpensive and easy DIY fix!

goony · Post by **goony** » Sun Aug 27, 2006 10:55 pm

I had a look at the level and if its working ok then it seemed fine I raised to suspension to max and the disc was at the top of the to lines??

goony

tom · Post by **tom** » Mon Aug 28, 2006 12:20 am

I think your float is stuck and I wouldn't rely on it. "Coggy" feeling steering is often due to a slack belt.

jeremy · Post by **jeremy** » Mon Aug 28, 2006 12:25 am

FDV is frequently blamed but seldom gives problems - in fact is more likely to affect the rest rather than the steering.

Post by **docchevron** » Mon Aug 28, 2006 1:11 am

I hadd exactly this problem on my TD the other week.
It was either the pinion, ram or the FDV. Cant say for sure cos I changed the lot andd works fine now!

I reckon it was the FDV though.
Cheers
Chris G

Vanny · Post by **Vanny** » Mon Aug 28, 2006 9:46 am

when i had the problem on the 19rd it WAS the FDV and a swap to a spare saw the problem vanish. It's one of the reasons i wanted rid of the FDV on the new BX as they can cause all sorts of strange problems!

On which note MrWrays car doesn't have and FDV (no PAS) and has had no pressure related hydraulic problems even with a slack belt, personally i think this just goes to show that a standard pump must be getting towards its capacity limit on a car with PAS and thus a slack belt of a weak pump is gong to cause lots of trouble!

goony · Post by **goony** » Mon Aug 28, 2006 3:30 pm

ok thanks for all the help, but what do i do now?? if the float is stuck how do I check the level??

goony

tom · Post by **tom** » Mon Aug 28, 2006 3:40 pm

Lower the suspension, remove the cap and insert a mark one digital interface. if it covers the sensing tip, you should be all right. Suitable interfaces can be obtained by cutting the end off an Earthling's arm and using one of the five pointy bits. The first one will do.

goony · Post by **goony** » Mon Aug 28, 2006 3:46 pm

thanks ill check it now

goony

goony · Post by **goony** » Mon Aug 28, 2006 3:56 pm

what happens if i overfill it??

goony

tom · Post by **tom** » Mon Aug 28, 2006 4:04 pm

You tread LHM onto the hall carpet and become unpopular.

goony · Post by **goony** » Mon Aug 28, 2006 4:06 pm

so i wont damage anything then??

goony

Barnsley BXer · Post by **Barnsley BXer** » Mon Aug 28, 2006 4:15 pm

tom wrote:You tread LHM onto the hall carpet and become unpopular.