Power Stering Problem

[DOUGtdi130]

Hi All,
Yesterday my steering seemed to develop a problem, it felt stiffer than normal, the tyres are ok, aux belt etc all running smoothly, fluid level ok. So I jacked the car up (both wheels off the floor), moved the wheels from lock to lock and everythig feels smooth and free, so I fired it up whilst still on the axle stands and turned the steering from lock to lock again a few times it seemed alright, so I then took it for a test drive, the problems gone. My question is what could have caused this, could the power stering pump be on the way out or could it be something else, the car is a 52 plate 95,000 miles awx engine code, as there appears to be so many faults with these cars I would imagine that someone has had this problem before and no doubt a common fault somewhere on the steering system, any advise would be appreciated.

[Hex69]

Couple of things to help you;



Have a search on the Forum for 'Power Steering'. There lots of posts on it, one may have your answer already.
Have you checked the fluid level? Could be as simple as that, you've not mentioned it in your post.

Otherwise, hopefully someone with more knowledge than me can help you out.:biglaugh:

[Sheepdog]

Power steering belt is part of the same sysytem as Alternator pulley
Search on that.
Basically could be the belt tensioner,or the alternator pulley, but would have thought you would have alternator problems as well. Same belt have a look when idling, is it noisy, flapping around, No alternator problems, check belt tensioner, on mine half way down on left, from front, steering is the lower unit on the right, other than that viscous fan pulley (centre of belt area) and the engine drive, Alternator pulley Top one.

[DOUGtdi130]

Thanks for your reply but I have solved the problem, it was a classic, I recently changed the discs and pads front and rear, I noticed when I did the job that the previous owner had topped up the brake fluid with worn pads, so I had to draw off the excess when I pushed the caliper pistons back to fit the new pads. However I didnt draw off enough because in the hot weather we have only recently started getting the brake fluid had expanded enough to use up the air space above and thus slightly apply the brakes, just enough to make the steering feel heavy, I drew off the excess and the jobs a good un.