power steering

[marcus]

Hi all,

this is probably my imagination but: I started the car today (2001, HDI 90) and the power steering did not function. This is a first. I turned the ignition off and on and it was fine but seemed much lighter. Is this possible? Could it mean anything or is it just my crap memory. It always seemed a bit heavy which I thought was due to diesel engine and now it seems like friends cars!

cheers Marcus

[munfred]

snow or rain will make the steering light
Could be the cold weather.
Are you sure you turned your key all the way round the first time? Dry turning isnt overly good.

[steve_earwig]

eh?

That's weird. I guess the first thing I'd do is change the fluid. I suppose asking if the aux belt's ok would be a daft question. Umm, anyone know anything about variable weight steering?

[Doggy]

According to ServicePox, mine hasn't got variable assistance.
Made me wonder if they were wrong, or if any 406's have it, cos I seem to have everything else bar auto / lpg / 7 seats.
Anybody know what's what?

[mjb]

I think it's only the V6 (exec) that has variable power steering, my turbo exec didn't have it and I wish this thing didn't. It's far too light.

[puggy]

No point asking me cos mine has got fook all but then again it means my
car is lighter so you know what that means dogy .......

[marcus]

snow or rain will make the steering light
Could be the cold weather.
Are you sure you turned your key all the way round the first time? Dry turning isnt overly good.

1st time I started the car and was trying to pull away....I guess its just a standard mad Pug thing....there are several other things that are intermittent, just they aren't so potentially hazardous.

[Longintooth]

Hi
All power steering without exception have a weight sensitive valve in the form of two springs one light and one heavier. This is to give feel when speed increases or when on wet or icy roads.

John

[mjb]

All power steering without exception have a weight sensitive valve in the form of two springs one light and one heavier. This is to give feel when speed increases or when on wet or icy roads.

The 406 has two kinds of power steering system. One of them, referred to by Peugeot as "variable power steering" is normal at high speed but incredibly light under 30. The other "without variable power steering" gives constant assist regardless of speed, about the same amount as the variable system on the motorway. I've had 406s with both kinds.

This is one thing Renault actually got right with the Laguna (mine had variable power steering) - it was not too heavy at low speed but at motorway speed you needed to use some muscle to make a sudden movement

[Longintooth]

Hi
All power steering have a simple valve that when it is activated it compresses a light spring first and if there is resistance at the wheel it then moves further to compress the heavier spring - every system since they were first introduced (40 years) have this arrangement. The option offered is when no power steering is fitted. Dho!! Some offer a more elaborate system using electronics to improve the feel but all have the minimum sensitivity control so perhaps this is difference in the options in some cases. Why would any manufacturer not continue with such a simple arrangement that involves very little extra expense? Oh , I forget it's 2009 and many have turned to electric servos to save fuel by removing the pumps, but still have feel control. It is all down to standard Automotive engineering like the Akerman principle that ensure the inside wheel turns at different angle to the outside. I just checked the 2008 Laguna spec on steering called active drive which they incorporate the steering with the dynamic braking system, the idea is that by using the brakes they hope to further improve steering sensitivity by applying the brakes in corners(measures the centripetal forces) and in manoeuvring - overly complex system for bone idle incompetent drivers. This system is already used by Peugeot, BMW etc on the 406 but only to improve excessive cornering not manoeuvring unless they adopt this on 407!!

John

[eoin27]

I drove a 2008 avensis before and it had an electrical setup which made the steering very light indeed but there was no feel through the wheel and it felt very light at motorway speeds which i found uncomfortable. What really amazed me about it was that the power steering operated after you turned the engine off.

Why tho?

[jasper5]

Quite a lot of cars have electric motors driving the power steering these days, manufacturers have been doing this for many years.

A Suzuki van I had in 2000 had an electric motor fitted to the steering column under the dash, made the steering very light, but would only work with the engine switched on.

It is well known in the trade that certain makes have had problems with the electric motor driven systems, Vauxhall being one in particular.The Astra had lots of problems early on.

[eoin27]

So it would be good if someone could specify what types of power steering are available in the market or is it just the two types?

[Doggy]

No point asking me cos mine has got fook all but then again it means my
car is lighter so you know what that means dogy .......

You can carry more spares?

[puggy]

LMFAO !! Twat