Power Steering has complete opposite to the desired effect!

The power steering on my 2000 Freelander 2.5 V6 is very heavy at parking speeds and very light once on the move, it seems to be having completely the opposite of the desired effect of power steering!

I also find when I turn the wheel to the left over 40mph there is a pronounced squeaking sound not disimiliar to a small bird tweeting away.

I took the car to the main dealer for diagnosis and was informed it would need a new steering rack at a cost of about £700 - around £500 for a recon steering rack!

I don't fancy spending £700 as I'm intending to trade the car in shortly and it's only worth about £2000.

I've just had a look on eBay and seen two racks for only £45 and £65 - am I right in thinking these used racks are the same part as the one that will cost £500 from a main dealer?

Find Freelander 1998 Upto 2004 Steering Racks on eBay within, Land Rover, Car Parts, Cars, Parts Vehicles (end time 04-Nov-07 17:49:53 GMT)

Find Freelander Rack Assembly Power Assisted Steering on eBay within, Land Rover, Car Parts, Cars, Parts Vehicles (end time 26-Oct-07 08:57:10 BST)

Find freelander power steering rack complete on eBay within, Land Rover, Car Parts, Cars, Parts Vehicles (end time 28-Oct-07 21:18:22 GMT)

Is it likely that I will be able to find an independent workshop who will be able to fit the rack at reasonable cost?

I'm also concerned as to whether fitting a new rack will solve the problem - is the heavy steering at parking/light on the move a common Freelander problem?

I'd greatly appreciate any experience and advice as this is my first (and probably last!) Freelander!

Many thanks in advance

have you checked the fluid level before you start replacing the whole front end?

Many thanks for the reply, I've just checked the fluid and it is near the maximum and looks a relatively healthy red colour. I may as well try and get a cheap rack and get it fitted, hopefully it will sort out the problem.

Am I right in thinking that all Freelanders from 97 - 00 had the same steering rack? The V6 2.5 doesn't have a different rack to a 1.8?

Thanks again

and checked the pump?

contact this guy - very helpful - really knows his stuff on PAS.

I haven't checked the pump, unfortunately I'm not very mechanically minded - is there any easy of testing the pump? There doesn't seem to be any unhealthy noises when turning the steering at low speed, it's just that the steering is very heavy almost as though it's not assisted at all.

I'm just hoping that the main dealer's diagnosis was correct, it would be frustrating if I still have the same problem after fitting a new rack.

Thanks again

floppy un slob is reet check fluid is correct type and full then check pump, as this is more common than steering bits un bobs. . . .

Many thanks for all the replies, as I say I'm not very mechanically minded but is there any easy way of testing the pump? The steering doesn't making any hissing noises when turning at parking speeds so I assumed the pump is working okay. The main dealer diagnosed the whole rack needs replacing.

unless yer really really unlucky, a steering rack will fail when the seals give up.so you would see big puddel of fluid under yer car. it is possible fer yer fluid to leak into the rubber bellows and not dribble out straight away. get down there and give them both a squeeze . if they are full of fluid you should feel it and some may leak out past the clips. otherwise i wouldn't think yer rack is stuffed.

also check the drive belt is still on yer pump and is turning it. take the lid of the pump and get someone to rev yer injun and then turn the steering wheel while looking into yer pump. you should see some movement of fluid.