Noobs guide to checking the power steering?

26th June 2011, 18:41

As above, would someone give me a noobs guide of how to check if my power steering is working as it should. Literally step by step noobtasticness.

Ever since ive put my new alloys on (despite getting them aligned and balanced) The steering has felt very light and feels like i have to steer more to turn a lot less.. Not sure if its just a different feel of the alloys but something feels odd so i thought id do some checks!

Thanks in advance, Clare

26th June 2011, 20:44

to be honest I think thats just how it goes with new alloys and spacers my vtr was the same, I doubt it would be a powersteering problem if anythings wrong most likely tracking.

26th June 2011, 21:12

Yeahh ive been told tracking a few times, but if ive had them balanced and aligned then is it really likely to be that?

26th June 2011, 23:29

how was it before you put ur alloys new alloys on? maybe the new wheels have just made an already existing problem seem worse, you should check the track rod ends for play and wheel bearings, my wheel bearings had quite a bit of play in them and the steering felt really loose its been alot better since then. if the car feels like its pulling in any direction you should definately get the tracking done again though

26th June 2011, 23:54

It would pull slightly to the right (hardly noticeable) but never when braking.. So yeah you may be right!

Im gunna get a free brake check at kwik fit to see if my pads/discs have gone.. If its not that then ill get them tracked again, and if its not that then ill start checking bearings and what not

27th June 2011, 00:02

haha well hopefully it will be an easy fix for you

ur alloys look good though makes me wish I bought a black saxo in the 1st place, getting so bored of silver!

27th June 2011, 00:09

Im hoping so too! Really cant afford much at the moment

Hehe thanks! I think if i didnt have a black sax id have silver or icelandic though

27th June 2011, 00:25

haha know the feeling! seems like the problems always come when ur a bit short on cash

Don't think thers alot left on my car that I havent renewed at the moment lol

27th June 2011, 05:59

Your powersteering is broke, I told you after driving this the other night

Will be your pump, hit it with a hammer and should be good to go for another hundred miles or so!

Then it will be your balancing probably for the pulling, but just get it checked for free at a garage

27th June 2011, 09:48

Noo, because if it was fully broke then when i turn full lock it wouldnt turn back for me when i let go.. It still does that :\

LOL, see french cars break easily but the fixes are easy to "hit it with a hammer" love this

But ive just had my balancing and tracking done *angry sad face*

27th June 2011, 10:04

Seriously, its your power steering pump! It isn't working! It was an absolute mission to get it in the parking space.. I see now why you can't park full stop!

The 'hit it with a hammer' technique is actually a valid answer for the power steering pump not working though!

Your steering could just be the bigger wheels, different tyres, the fact they are spaced slightly. Anything really, the fact its pulling to one side is probably brake related?

27th June 2011, 10:11

Haha, im gunna use this as a valid bad parking excuse when really we both know i cant park full stop

Literally, just go and hit it with a hammer? :|

Yeahh thats what i was thinking, but when im in Leicester im gunna get a free brake check with kwikkyfit and then go from there.. Ive got a friendly who can get me front pads for £15 as he works in a garage so im hoping its a quick fix like that!