Rick the Spud Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 hi guys i've noticed my power steering getting worse. first it was just a bit lumpy, now it's got some really stiff spots when u turn the wheel, a bit of a whine coming from the power steering pump (i think!), and when i check the PAS fluid, it's all frothy! i straightened the front steering bar the other day (cos it was properly bent after some abuse) and thought that was the cause, but it wasn't. any ideas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bowie69 Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 Probably just air in the system, top up the reservoir, jack up front axle and turn lock to lock a few times -normally fixes it. Frothy fluid is pretty normal BTW, especially if air in in the system. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landrover598 Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 When was the fluid last changed ? as it should be changed every 3 or 4 years and can cause lumpyness when it's old. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 The other culprit is seized up Uniiversal Joints in the steering linkage - especially if you have been playing in water. Dowse them in WD40, and work the steering left to right, and see if it loosens up at all. The proper fix is to fin new UJ's but the WD40 trick should loosen it all up. Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BogMonster Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 UJ's on the shaft into the box or seized steering ball joints on the main linkages - the latter is usually just stiff steering, but seized UJ's make it lumpy because it creates "tight spots" as you turn the wheel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick the Spud Posted July 23, 2009 Author Share Posted July 23, 2009 cheers guys - you were all right! the main culprit though was the steering linkage, plenty of WD40 and spray grease after, and all was good again. thanks alot... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BogMonster Posted July 23, 2009 Share Posted July 23, 2009 If the ball joints on the draglink/track rod were seized it almost certainly means they have got water in them at some point, and you should plan on replacing them sooner rather than later. Ball joints letting go in your steering isn't fun at all, best case you end up with extremely brown underwear and worse case you end up wrapped round an oncoming lorry and somewhat dead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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