steerring forcing in the wrong direction?

Post Wed Nov 08, 2006 10:15 am

When going around a roundabout and turning off to another road the steering seems to be holding pressure in the direction of the roundabout for about 5 mins! its quite dangerous - i am not sure also if it builds pressure or if it is the arms getting tired?
is this just as simple as replacing the power steering pump?
cheers

Post Wed Nov 08, 2006 3:02 pm

anyone?

Post Wed Nov 08, 2006 3:26 pm

sounds mad

I assume you have checked tyre pressures and PAS fluid level?

Post Wed Nov 08, 2006 3:33 pm

as orangecurry says, check the tyre pressures and PAS fluid level. it sounds as if its rack related, as the rack is holding the pressure or something?

have you tried letting go of the wheel to see if the car is going straight or not after the roundabout?

Post Wed Nov 08, 2006 7:37 pm

yes - bassicly you go round a roundabout take an exit and if you let go of the wheel - the car turns right... it is indeed the rack holding pressure or the pump taking a while to return the fluid if i turn left then right it is fine as the force seems to cancel each other out.
pump or rack? mmmm
fluid is only a cm down - i will top up tomm but i dont think will solve the problem.

Post Wed Nov 08, 2006 7:58 pm

Liam, make sure the track rods are equally setup, smae amaount of thread showing both sides.

What you're describing sounds like the rods are skewed so the ackerman angle is incorrect and holding the steering on full lock dude

HTH

Post Wed Nov 08, 2006 11:47 pm

ok have got to the car first hand as previously problem was described (missus new motor)

Chocolate Coloured Power steering fluid is first port of call to replace tommorow i think - then a flush then fresh fluid.
god it really is liquid mud in there - must have the valves well buggered
will report back...

Post Thu Nov 16, 2006 1:45 pm

well power steering flushed and filled -
problem still there
whats more interesteting is that it is worse for the first 30 seconds in the morning (could this be a belt related problem)
the wheel is almost impossible to turn first thing in the morning - after 30 sces it is fine
for the rest of the time then return to centre is ok though the wheel is still holding pressure in the direction you were turning? how is this possible
anyway i think the fact its worse in the morning could be a clue but i just dont know what.........?

Post Thu Nov 16, 2006 5:02 pm

Sounds pump or rack related and the fact that it is worse in the morning could be due to the oil in the system being cold?

Post Thu Nov 16, 2006 5:08 pm

I reckon the seals on the rack might have worked loose and be blocking one of the PAS fluid channels somewhere, or you still have some mucky muck gumming something open/closed. spadge is right tho defintly rack or pump related.

Assuming we have definattly discounted track rods.

Post Thu Nov 16, 2006 5:27 pm

whatever the issue, new fluid , flush then new fluid again may be the way forward Liam.

re the dodgy steering,
( you've not said what car this is dude? ) we've assumed BMW but Citroens and Hondas do have strange self centering steering for what its worth..

Post Thu Nov 16, 2006 7:32 pm

its the new addition to the famly- a 318is just in from england!
its actually a little better since the flush but i checked again today and its already gone from pink to brown liquid - gonna have to flush a few times i reckon.

Post Thu Nov 16, 2006 11:34 pm

the power steering fluid is ATF - auto trans fluid, and should be red. just because its grey or brown, doesnt necessarily mean theres anything wrong with it, as it goes this colour due to the viscous particles being disturbed, and so on

my steering on my iS squeels its nuts off and is very stiff first thing and even when turning the wheel whilst not moving. mine is definately pump related, although i have none of your symptoms

possibly, as said, one of the valves or seals may have gone. if a valve has gone or is blocked, it wont allow fluid back through efficiently enough, and therefore will hold the pressure...

keep us updated on this

Post Fri Nov 17, 2006 4:00 am

Take the universal joint off and rotate it (or just replace it) and see if the problem moves to a different position, If its compressed it can cause it to bind as it rotates. It could be buggerd or just not spaced correctly.
Give the splines a good clean with a wire brush first and light coating of grease then put it back on and just do the top bolt up first then turn it from lock to lock a few times before putting the bottom bolt back in.