Power steering problem

neil830 · Post by **neil830** » Sun Mar 15, 2009 9:56 am

I need help with this. It's doing my head-in.

got a 406 se est, 110 hdi. on 53.

about 3 mounths age the power steering started acting up, I could turn the wheel so far (about quarter turn or so, either way) then it would get very heavy (no power steering) then if i turned through the heavy bit it would get light again (could be quarter turn, more or less just depended).then go heavy again then light again and so on. These heavy bits started out with quite light resistance (not to heavy) but as it went on get really bad. Thought it might have been the u/v joint on the rack but if i turned lock to lock a few times the heavy spots could be in deferent places. the worst part (and most dangerous) is that once the steering wheel is in or past one of these heavy parts when you let go of the steering wheel it just stays there (no self centering)

All I could think of was an air lock or some muck had got it's way in or the fluid had degraded (didn't think power steering fluid did degrade unless it get too hot.)

so I changed the fluid. after two sore arms (from turning lock to lock about 3000 times) all was well and working fine. (very pleased with myself)
That was about 3 weeks ago.
But got in car yesterday and it is starting again. just light resictence and not smoothly turning back to centre. just like before,

Why does this keep happening?

When was under car had a good look, could not see anything wrong.

any help would be good. as am running out of ideas

Cheers Neil

Post by **DaiRees** » Sun Mar 15, 2009 10:10 am

Strut top bearings maybe?

Post by **steve_earwig** » Sun Mar 15, 2009 10:13 am

This sounds familiar

There's a universal joint at the bottom of the steering column, it might help to soak it WD.

neil830 · Post by **neil830** » Sun Mar 15, 2009 1:29 pm

Thanks for reply.

thought about the struts and the u/v joint. but because it worked for 3 weeks or so after fluid change have sort of ruled those out.
also when i had both front wheels off the ground you could still feel the resistance even with the engine off. after i drained the fluid tried the same thing (wheels off ground), seemed back to normal and still normal after refilling fluid.

Post by **steve_earwig** » Sun Mar 15, 2009 3:06 pm

Oh, I get it, u/v - universal. I was thinking ultraviolet

Go on, give it a squirt, it's either that or your ram's bent.

neil830 · Post by **neil830** » Mon Mar 16, 2009 9:46 am

thanks steve. Put WD-40 every where last night. Get in this morning, just the same. Cock! It doesn't have a ram, not that you can see anyway, pipes go straight into to rack. Must be all internal.

Post by **steve_earwig** » Mon Mar 16, 2009 10:05 am

Bugger

It sounded so much like the UJ on another car a little while back, especially the "quarter-turn hard, then further light" stuff.

I guess you'll have to get the track rod ends off so you can isolate the suspension from the rack, then work from there.

mjb · Post by **mjb** » Mon Mar 16, 2009 10:09 am

steve_earwig wrote:Bugger It sounded so much like the UJ on another car a little while back, especially the "quarter-turn hard, then further light" stuff.

It was supa's car, and quarter turn stuff really does sound like the UJ

neil830 wrote:thanks steve. Put WD-40 every where last night.

You want grease on the UJ, not WD40, which is a terrible lubricant

Post by **steve_earwig** » Mon Mar 16, 2009 10:17 am

Grease is harder to work in than WD...

Darkchild101 · Post by **Darkchild101** » Mon Mar 16, 2009 6:48 pm

My car too has a very heavy steering wheel even though meant to be power assisted. Its actually heavier than a normal steering and what could be causing this this guys. Its 406 HDi 110, W reg

You notice it mostly on take off and have to turn sharply or going into a bend at slow speed. Very tricky cos police might think you drunk if behind you. I swear the steering is that heavy and doesnt self centre after turning

. Feels very lumpy at certain points too [Crying]

Thanks

mjb · Post by **mjb** » Mon Mar 16, 2009 7:26 pm

Checked the power steering fluid level? The fuse?

Post by **steve_earwig** » Mon Mar 16, 2009 7:40 pm

Fuse? Is there something I should know?

mjb · Post by **mjb** » Mon Mar 16, 2009 7:41 pm

steve_earwig wrote:Fuse? Is there something I should know?

I'm just wildly guessing

Post by **teamster1975** » Mon Mar 16, 2009 8:18 pm

mjb wrote:
steve_earwig wrote:Fuse? Is there something I should know?
I'm just wildly guessing

Must admit I did a double take when I read that!

ToMoCo · Post by **ToMoCo** » Thu Jan 09, 2014 11:29 am

I had exact same symptoms as OP - quarter turn - Heavy/Light and no self centre.

A squirt of WD on the steering column universal joint has cured it, so thanks for answers.

Will now get back under there and properly grease it

406oc.co.uk

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