Jim1000
Member Since: 26 Jun 2011
Location: Twickenham, Middlesex, UK
Posts: 315
  
|
| Lumpy power steering worse when cold |
|
Hello.
Been rummaging through the old posts on this subject as my local non-stealer mech can''t look at my late 04 TDV6 until after Christmas. Some posts seem to link with my symptom but not totally so wondered if anyone could give me any pointers or opinions on the basis of this: (would be much appreciated):
Power steering been feeling a bit heavier over the last year
Fluid not been changed in the 2 years since I've had it but it's topped to the level
Few weeks ago it suddenly felt very strange one morning. Heavy, almost as if not power steering but irregular and strange. Doesn't spring back into position properly after turning a corner. Feels as if the cog or whatever on the end of the rack is soft square shaped as it turns soft hard soft hard in certain parts of the turn.
This is both directions.
It doesn't get back to normal feel but does feel much better once warmed-up.
Worse the colder the morning temp.
Only correlation is/was:
Day before did a bit of light wading (well, flying through dipping fields flooded with 6-12 inches of water and collected quite a bit of grass underneath, think I've pulled and cleaned most of it out)
The weather had suddenly turned cold.
I'm wondering if I could try changing the fluid myself as a quick check/possible remedy first.
Or does it sound like I'm into having to spend big money? :-/ Nov 04 D3 TDV6 HSE Java Black
|
 13th Dec 2013 10:26 am |
|
|
|
|
Jim1000
Member Since: 26 Jun 2011
Location: Twickenham, Middlesex, UK
Posts: 315
|
Thanks Methley and I should have mentioned that the mech said "dunno, have to see it but might be the blah blah seized" so guess that's a fair pointer. 
Big money?  Nov 04 D3 TDV6 HSE Java Black
|
| 13th Dec 2013 10:34 am |
|
|
|
|
Jim1000
Member Since: 26 Jun 2011
Location: Twickenham, Middlesex, UK
Posts: 315
|
Thanks Mikey.
So the kids can eat turkey this Christmas after all! Nov 04 D3 TDV6 HSE Java Black
|
| 13th Dec 2013 10:57 am |
|
|
|
|
Jim1000
Member Since: 26 Jun 2011
Location: Twickenham, Middlesex, UK
Posts: 315
|
 Nov 04 D3 TDV6 HSE Java Black
|
| 13th Dec 2013 11:11 am |
|
|
grahamk
Member Since: 28 Feb 2010
Location: Dumgoyne
Posts: 1473
|
Mikey just sorted mine, What a difference, steering feels like new again
|
| 13th Dec 2013 11:16 am |
|
|
Jim1000
Member Since: 26 Jun 2011
Location: Twickenham, Middlesex, UK
Posts: 315
|
Interesting that the symptom started a while ago when I pouched through water in a field.
It's been remaining bad until mech can look at it after Christmas, but it hasn't been too bad once warmed up. However, last night a complete first.
Flooded road with 6-12 inches of water. Jacked up to OR height and went through it . Lots of water over the windscreen. As soon as I was out of the other side it's almost as if my steering completely went. No power steering at all. I pulled-over, then went off again and it suddenly came back. But was still bad/heavy and lumpy.
I wonder if water ingress is something as well?? Nov 04 D3 TDV6 HSE Java Black
|
| 24th Dec 2013 7:58 am |
|
|
Biffysun
Member Since: 09 Jul 2011
Location: Central
Posts: 1788
 
|
Water causing Aux belt to slip thus no power steering and heavy! Returns to normal as it dries out!
|
| 24th Dec 2013 8:08 am |
|
|
Jim1000
Member Since: 26 Jun 2011
Location: Twickenham, Middlesex, UK
Posts: 315
|
So this was a short-term additional problem? Additional to the seized universal joint?
Odd that I've waded a few feet on a few occasions and never had that before.
Do you think there's some cover undone or something as it surely should happen to a motor designed to wade half a meter? Nov 04 D3 TDV6 HSE Java Black
|
| 24th Dec 2013 8:23 am |
|
|
Biffysun
Member Since: 09 Jul 2011
Location: Central
Posts: 1788
|
Sounds additional, maybe the Aux belt is wearing a bit? If the water was coming over the bonnet maybe you were going a bit too quick? As for a missing cover, stick your head underneath and see if they are all there, especially the small front one
Merry Xmas 8)
|
| 24th Dec 2013 9:57 am |
|
|
Jim1000
Member Since: 26 Jun 2011
Location: Twickenham, Middlesex, UK
Posts: 315
|
Cheers…
It was a bit fast, well 10mph but it was only a 'big puddle' in the road so thought it would be OK…. I'll just take it easy and get the old girl sorted-out in January.
Thanks again and MERRY CHRISTMAS  Nov 04 D3 TDV6 HSE Java Black
|
| 24th Dec 2013 10:01 am |
|
|
Jim1000
Member Since: 26 Jun 2011
Location: Twickenham, Middlesex, UK
Posts: 315
|
Not wanting to labour this episode, but thought it still worth sharing for future forum searches.
An odd thing happened after that flooded road mini wade where on exit from the water I lost all power steering. Well, this was right near my house so I just parked-up straight after.
The next morning I drove off and the steering had returned to normal. I mean before my lumpy steering symptoms. It's totally back to normal and has been for days now (although it never was great).
When it started to go wrong was after me ploughing through a grassy field with flooded dips. Afterwards the underside had loads of long grass caught-up and I had to pick it all out and jet wash it.
Maybe I do have a cover off somewhere (I dont know what I'm looking for) and grass got in there, maybe the belt and the latest wade flushed it out. Just a hunch, but thought it worth sharing.
I still think I'm going to get it all checked out in the new year though. Nov 04 D3 TDV6 HSE Java Black
|
| 28th Dec 2013 8:29 am |
|
|
