Power Steering problem.

Honest John Back Room » Technical matters
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Thu 27 Jun 2002 11:54
Power Steering problem. - Vin {P}
On Saturday, in a fit of trailer madness (trying to get a trailer half a mile down a one ended alley that in points was six inches or so wider than the trailer) I ended up pulling the thing down the alley, then performing a 23 point turn on dirt (I counted) to get the car turned back. I did this three times.

The end result of this is that I seem to have done something to my power steering, namely that at intermediate speeds (25-40?), there doesn't seem to be much help from the pump. The car is an Omega, which has speed sensitive power steering, so my first guess is that this might be the culprit.

Does anyone else have any ideas what it might be, and should I take it to a power steering expert (if there is such a thing) rather than a standard garage? Could it just be the tracking?

Any suggestions/comments welcome.
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Thu 27 Jun 2002 21:43
Power Steering problem. - Cyd
I would suspect that you have aerated the oil and overheated it. Dip a piece of white cloth into the reservoir - is the oil a nice clean red colour - or going dirty brown. If the later, you've overheated it.

To drain, you'll need to disconnect a pipe at the rack probably. You won't be able to remove all the oil so do this twice:
*drain as best you can - reconnect pipes.
*refill reservoir
*raise front wheels off ground
*with engine idling slowly take steering from lock to lock 5 times checking the oil level after each cycle.
*allow any air bubbles in the reservoir to settle out and top up.
*with engine idling slowly take steering from lock to lock 5 times checking the oil level afterwards.

Use the best oil you can find. Consider adding a tube of Molyslip (green tube) - I found half a tube smoothed out some notchyness in my Rovers steering, which got better with use.

If this doesn't work you might have overheated and damaged the pump. Smells pricey.
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Sat 29 Jun 2002 18:06
Power Steering problem. - Vin {P}
Cyd,

Thanks for the help, but the oil is a beautiful clear red (as it should be,of course). I think it's got to be the speed sensor part of the thing, as the steering's perfect below 25 or so mph, and fine above 40 or so. I'm going to get the tracking checked, then see about getting the power steering checked.

Does anyone know of any power steering specialists?

Vin
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