Power steering failure??

[Pete Carroll]

My question is, can this randomly occur or is there a cause?

Car went in for front drivers side bearing. The Mrs got a phone call saying that as the mechanic pulled the car out of the garage, the power steering failed and found it very heavy to turn.

Is this a common problem on a 1.6 manual 2004 model?

Somewhere along the lines a "torque converter was mentioned?? I'm lead to believe this is only on an automatic car?

Quotes of £900 for new one or £2-300 for second hand one was also said. I will be ringing in morning to clarify but it's just bugging me atm.

Any help/guidance would be appreciated...

[zollaf]

sounds like a load of billy to me. pas can fail but rarely does. not sure if yours is hydraulic or electric, but neither system uses a torque convertor. as you say, auto boxes use that.

[Pete Carroll]

As I say, he spoke to the Mrs so she ain't too sure what was said but she wouldn't have plucked "torque converter" out of the air. But I saw one here about a new rack would cost around 900, maybe that?

Think I may fetch car and get 2nd opinion.

[Doctle Odd]

Get the car and check if it's electric or hydraulic ps. If its hydraulic check the belt in tight and that it has fluid, start the car and check if the pump is sticking. An electric pump will require plugging in the car after you rule out a fuse.

[Pete Carroll]

Quick update, had a little chat to mechanic in-between my work, and he says "torque converter electronic sensor" which is built into the steering rack...

Does this make sense to anyone?

Cheers

[zollaf]

its an electric system, so basically a motor built into the rack. normally really reliable but anything can fail. i would get another opinion. also try starting the ca and just letting it run for a bit to charge the battery. obvioulsy being electric it need lots of power, so if they have falttened the battery at all ??

[Pete Carroll]

Yeah I was going to get it back. Get it towed, or will it be OK, only about 5 mile drive, just with heavy steering. Cheers

[zollaf]

are you in the AA ? or rac or other ??? get them to collect and diagnose whilst tey are at it.

[Pete Carroll]

Yeah in aa, so just pull up down road and say it broke down?

[zollaf]

no, i would get the AA to go to the garage if they will. it might be a legit failure, or they have pulled the fuse out.