Power Steering Failing

[Sage103]

Looking for advice/help. My 110hdi steering power assistance became a bit intermittent. Wasn't losing fluid so I decided to change the pump and found a used one from an 806 which fitted perfectly. However this has not cured the fault so I'm presuming to problem lies in the rack and once the snow goes I'll check the hydraulic connections to the rack but given that there 's no loss of fluid they should be ok - unless it is possible for air to get in without fluid escaping?

And then - replacement rack?

[frog]

Could it be the steering wheel angle sensor? I think that is inside the COM2000 unit (just behind the steering wheel).

[steve_earwig]

Some of the high trim levels have variable rate power steering, maybe if yours has it that could be up the creek. Also a frozen ball joint could also make the steering heavy.

[PeterN]

I have a spare rack from a 2001 Hdi estate - if you are anywhere near the west country.

Peter

[Sage103]

How can I determine if my car has the variable power steering? It's a 2000 110 Executive estate.

[steve_earwig]

Tricky. An executive could have it, I could have told you once but PSA decided that it was better if we didn't know

[Doggy]

I think it's very unlikely - we've had three 2.2 HDi executives, none have had variable rate power steering.

The electrical diagrams on this site imply you'd have an electically driven rack, (which fairly should be easy to spot).https://www.petrila.net/repair/index.htm

Look under English/406/70 Driver Aids/Power Steering

[Sage103]

Thanks for all the suggestions and help. Not sure where I go from here but I do have plenty of time right now to think about it!

[Doggy]

If it were mine, I would jack it up / get it on stands so both front wheels are off the ground and operate the steering from lock to lock with the engine off - this should reveal any stiffness or noise from the steering, joints, strut top bearings etc.
Maybe get someone to twiddle the wheel while you listen and observe under the bonnet & from underneath the car.

[GingerMagic]

The chances are you haven't got variable power steering, however there is a chance your strut top bearings are worn - this can make the steering heavy at low speeds but fine when traveling along..

[PeterN]

Have you tried lubricating the universal joint at the bottom of the column?

Peter

[Sage103]

No, I haven't but I did see that suggested elsewhere earlier today. Will give it a go tomorrow.

[Sage103]

And I have had the car up off both front wheels while bleeding the power steering - first without the engine running, and then wth it idling, and the steering was smooth from stop to stop. Today I noticed that the steering is heavy immediately after startup then it lightens but not consistently. It goes from feeling fine on a turn but then stiffens on return and is reluctant to self centre.

It feels as though it must have variable steering but the controlling sensor is faulty.

I don't want to go to the expense of a new rack, or another pump, until I have discounted all other possible causes.

[Doggy]

Possibly try a second hand pump from a scrapyard - fairly easy/quick/cheap and should eliminate at least one possibility?

[steve_earwig]

I'm afraid he already tried that (first post). We did have a thread a long time back (JamesXCVBNM?) where the variable ps had gone up the swannie. I'll have a search...