power steering feeling heavy

[sotal]

If the belt is a bit too loose will the power steering go heavier? Also can it cause the steering to judder.

I know my belt isn't tight enough as when I came to put the tension on using the 1/2 inch ratchet on the idler arm, the socket on the arm crumbled away to dust, so I had to guess how tight.

Since then the powersteering sometimes judders a bit first thing in the morning espicially when braking and today it felt heavier.

Does this sound to be related - is it normal to do that when it's a bit slack?

I must get round to ordering a new arm, and pulley (it's the one at the top I think it's the aircon idler)

[BogMonster]

Could be but PAS belts normally squeal when they are loose and slipping. Get somebody to wind it lock to lock while you watch the PAS pump pulley - if it stops then that is the problem!

[Pete Attryde]

The tensioner for the power steering is self adjusting (big spring pushes it onto the belt). The one near the aircon pump only does the aircon pump. At least on mine it does.

HTH

Pete.

[sotal]

Doh, just me being an idiot and not checking things properly - my front left tyre was flat

[thebiglad]

I have a friend with a <tdi 300 auto and her steering was getting heaving and a bit graunchy - when I checked the pas fluid level was low so we bought a bottle (1ltr I think) and put almosy ALL of it in the pas reservoir!!

There can't have been hardly any fluid in the system, no obvious leaks, a bit of misting on the pipes but nothing horrendous. Was serviced by professionals (the robbers) 6 weeks ago!!

After that I checked the air filter and guess what, it (the filter) now resides in an auto musiam, the thing was prehistoric !!!

Professional eh, we know best - like hell you do.

[kiall]

I have a friend with a <tdi 300 auto and her steering was getting heaving and a bit graunchy - when I checked the pas fluid level was low so we bought a bottle (1ltr I think) and put almosy ALL of it in the pas reservoir!!

There can't have been hardly any fluid in the system, no obvious leaks, a bit of misting on the pipes but nothing horrendous. Was serviced by professionals (the robbers) 6 weeks ago!!

After that I checked the air filter and guess what, it (the filter) now resides in an auto musiam, the thing was prehistoric !!!

Professional eh, we know best - like hell you do.

ive had this problem with ordering via motor factors ,

they sent me a defender type filter instead of a panel filter twice when i had asked them for the panel filter