Need help with steering i seem to be back to square 1

15th September 2010, 09:32

Right i'll start from the begining lol sorry in advance for this being long. I've recently been having problems with my steering. At the start of this problem the steering seemed ok when turning left but when turning right it was stiffer not dangerously stiff but it was defently stiffer but it keeps on changing so one minute it seems ok the next its stiffer when turning right. Like i said the steering is ok most of the time when turning left but then its stiff to turn right alot but ocasionly it can change to being stiff both sides or loose both sides. Also only recently i locked my steering wheel up and heard a sort of clunking noise. I took this to a garage nearby assuming it was one of 2 things either my steering rack or pas pump. The guy at my local garage said that he reckons its the steering rack, the reasons for this was that he got my car up on a ramp and moved the wheel back and forth and he said it seemed a bit stiffer then it should be. I asked him about the pump and he reckons it can't be the pump he seemed pretty sure about that he then talked about how the pumps pressure worked and so forth. He seemed to think that one of the valves in the steering rack had an issue. So i came away from there about 60 percent sure if it was it tbh.
I needed a second opinion as i dont want to spend alot on my car when its not needed. So this morning i went to another local garage and they looked at my car. I told them the problems and they took my car away to do some tests. He came back and said has your car ever just stopped working and i said ye but that was to do with another problem that was fixed which was to do with the altenator wire that had been corroded away and then been crimped back togther. He then said he checked the steering rack and it wasnt leaking and he said he thought it was my pas pump. He said that its slightly damp which i dont think i a major problem as ive looked. Anyway i said about the other garage sayin it was the steering rack and he said it could be but becauee it wasnt leaking he thinks its the pump. He then went on and told me racks cost 400 500 to fix which i thought was crazy lol. I then said could there be something wrong in the rack and he said theres a chance but he reckoned it was the pump. Anyway i think im kinda back to where i was im not sure what to get fixed. I'm stil leaning towards the rack being the problem but need to know for sure before i get it fixed. I've got one garage telling me its the pump and another saying its the rack. Im unsure what to do i mean the other guy told me it couldnt be the pump and this guy thinks it is but says theres also a chance it could be the rack but ovioulsly they cant mess about with it and take it apart. Ive checked my power steering fluid and for any leaks and there dosnt seem to be but the garage said the rack want leaking either. Also ill add that I did lock my wheels up checking my tread while at a stand still but wouldnt of thought this would just break my pas pump. Just need some advise on what it sounds like as i have to get this problem sorted out as its doing my head in. Sorry for the long post lol

15th September 2010, 12:24

and breathe

free bump anyhow

15th September 2010, 18:12

lol thanks for the bump can anyone help me on this ??

15th September 2010, 20:11

That was bloody hard to read.

But I'm in a good mood, so I persevered.

It sounded odd that you said it was only happening in one direction. Which would lead me to think rack. But, reading through what you've said, I'd have to say pump. They're a common failure and when they start to go they're always on and off.

A quick slap will sometimes free them up for few more miles.

If there's no leaks or anything, and there's no blockages (I'd find it hard to believe with the pressure used) I'd change the pump and go from there. If it makes any difference, I have a pump, rack and piping here which I don't need and want rid now. PM me if you're interested.

15th September 2010, 20:18

lol sorry about the read but thanks for doing it. Is there anyway i can tell for sure its the pump. It sounds ok its making a whirling sound which i assume is normal and shows its working. What makes you think it isnt the rack mate can you explain why your leaning towards the pump. Thanks

15th September 2010, 20:25

Well they're a common failure for a start, and when they start to go, they stop and start randomly. I assume it's the brushes that go in them.

And as they stop and start, your steering will come and go.

Plus it's a damn sight easier to change a pump than it is a rack.

The only way I can see a rack failing is through a leak, probably along the shaft. And then you'd be running low on PAS fluid and your PAS would just pack up.

15th September 2010, 20:32

thanks for the quick replys when you say the pump starts and stops randomly would this be able to affect one side of my steering then both sides and just randomly affects it at differnt times. I dont lose power steering or anything it just gets stiffer at points and looser ocasionly but the majority of the time it is when im turning right it gets stiffer. Also when you say the only way you see a rack failing is through a leak or low pas pump would it leak or lose pas pump if one of the valves is blocked or something inside it wasnt right. thank mate

15th September 2010, 20:39

If the garage says they can't find a leak on your rack, then you're better off not changing it. It's a bastard of a job even with the engine out.

Come to think of it, has anyone tried changing the PAS pump relay? It's like a grey box thing close to the pump.

I guess it'll either be that relay, or the pump itself.

15th September 2010, 20:42

So you think that because the rack isnt leaking i shouldnt change it? Can the pump affect my steering in the way i said though can it be to one side sometimes. Thanks for your help

15th September 2010, 21:01

If it's stopping and starting between movements then yes.

15th September 2010, 21:04

ok thank for all your help

15th September 2010, 21:15

hi having read your post i have to agree with mr P i would change the pump as racks are a shit job and it does sound like a pump