PAS problem - 1997 Mondeo

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Sun 21 Aug 2005 20:33
PAS problem - 1997 Mondeo - bikemade3
Just noticed unusal problem with the PAS fitted to my 97 Mondeo.
If i go full lock either way and hold it against the stop i can feel very slight intermittent pulsing thru the wheel inconjuntion with this i hear what appears to be belt slippage from the PAS pump. Of the 2 directions right lock is worse and feels at times as if i have not achieevd full lock. When the car is moving unless i go full lock it doesn't happen and is definately worse if the car has been sat overnight as i hear belt slippage on the slightest movement.

The PAS pump is driven off the injection pump fly wheel and was changed with the cambelt about 10K ago.

I,ve just swapped the front and rear tyres as the fronts were starting to wear and have the same make of tyre on all 4 corners

No visible leaks and the pump reservoir is at the correct level. The fluid has not been changed since i've owned the car ( Nov1999) and to my knowledge is the factory original.

I am thinking eithe pump or rack, but as it only happens on full lock am a bit confused.
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Sun 21 Aug 2005 20:40
PAS problem - cavi
to my knowlege after fitting any ancillary belt you have to readjust after a while, if this isnt the case suggest checking the belt for spilt fluids if it is wet you would have to buy new ones. in reference to pas maybe the the steering fluid needs to be changed as it will be very old now and has probably aquired water which isnt very good for your pump!
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Sun 21 Aug 2005 21:56
PAS problem - mjm
It is probably just the pressure release valves coming into play at maximum lock each side.
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Sun 21 Aug 2005 22:27
PAS problem - Altea Ego
Its quite common on most PAS systems and does not indicate a problem
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Sun 21 Aug 2005 22:54
PAS problem - Sprice
Yeah, not indicative of a problem, but you shouldn't hold on full lock for too long or pump damage could occur. Perhaps the belt could do with a 'tweak'!

Im assuming that other than this noise you hear on full lock the car steers and feels fine?

PAS fluid should last life of car, its not usual to change or top it up (unless there's an obvious leak).
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Tue 23 Aug 2005 07:31
PAS problem - cavi
'maybe the the steering fluid needs to be changed'

sorry had a funny moment!
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Fri 26 Aug 2005 18:27
PAS problem - bikemade3
UPDATE.
Fault fixed, lower bolt which bolted the slidig arm assy that is used to tension the belt was missing so in effect allowed the arm to sit free of the diesel injection pump.There was no way to securly tension the belt.

Replaced the bolt and the belt, re-tensioned the belt and works fine, no noise,no intermittent feed back to the steeering wheel.
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