Power steering issue

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Pitkin2020

Member
Posts
34
Location
Barnstaple
Any advice would be welcomed at this point, basically I had the heavy power steering issue at low speed so I've replaced the pump, reservoir and flushed out the system and replaced with new fluid.

Upon test drive of 5 mins it was still very heavy at low speed turning right it would go very heavy then the final bit it would go back to normal.

I've now taken for a longer drive 15 mins and it seemed to improve, to the point I was doing figure of 8 in the car park multiple times full left lock full right lock and it was all I can say normal.

Stopped to get some fuel and instantly the heavy right lock was back. It's like it's hitting resistance you get a small knock/clunk and it eases up again.

I would assume if the rack was toast it would be doing it all the time?
 
Just to add something else I've now noticed whilst waiting for my son in the car park.
When stationary and the car is idling I can't even turn the steering to the right, turning tk the left is heavy but doable, however if I increase the revs the power steering seems to go back to normal and I can turn left and right with ease on the spot, would this point to the pump not giving enough output?
 
Pitkin2020 said:
2007 freelander 2 manual 2.2 diesel
Click to expand...
Ok so when you replaced all the above in your first post, did you raise the front wheel of the floor to purge the pump and steering, if not personally i would replace the fluid which should be green by the way, not red, raise front wheels off the ground no need to start the car turn steering left to right on full lock do this until no bubble in the reservoir.


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Yes, basically had the car on axle stands wheels off, stripped the old pump out, primed the new pump. Once reassembled connected the new reservoir on and filled with fluid and the old reservoir on the return line, did full lock to lock several times (aux belt still off at the point) till the old reservoir started to fill with the new green fluid, needed emptying a few times and had flushed about a litre through at this point. Then removed the old reservoir and put the return line on the new reservoir topped up the fluid, replaced aux belt and did several more lock to lock with the engine off, all seemed good so started the car and whilst still on axle stands did a dozen lock to lock and topped off the reservoir to just below full.

Now the only thing I can think off is the car wasn't perfectly the right side was on the downward incline, could I have air trapped as that's the low point (clutching at straws here BTW) but even if that was the case I would have thought with driving it the air would eventually find it's way out
 
Pitkin2020 said:
Yes, basically had the car on axle stands wheels off, stripped the old pump out, primed the new pump. Once reassembled connected the new reservoir on and filled with fluid and the old reservoir on the return line, did full lock to lock several times (aux belt still off at the point) till the old reservoir started to fill with the new green fluid, needed emptying a few times and had flushed about a litre through at this point. Then removed the old reservoir and put the return line on the new reservoir topped up the fluid, replaced aux belt and did several more lock to lock with the engine off, all seemed good so started the car and whilst still on axle stands did a dozen lock to lock and topped off the reservoir to just below full.

Now the only thing I can think off is the car wasn't perfectly the right side was on the downward incline, could I have air trapped as that's the low point (clutching at straws here BTW) but even if that was the case I would have thought with driving it the air would eventually find it's way out
Click to expand...
The above sounds the perfect way to me, i was initially think trapped air, but as you point out surely seeing you have driven the car it would have found it way out to the reservoir, if you still have the old one maybe flush it again see what that does, the wheel really only need to be one the ground by a couple of inches on level ground if possible.
 
Maybe something wrong in the rack ? Blocked pipe, or internal seal leaking, so pump pressure applied differently when turning right or left ?
 
Well I swapped the pump out again this evening (much quicker this time lol)
No difference, what's odd is that upon axle stands the steering is lovely and smooth full lock to full lock, you get the pump whine when holding it on full lock but I'd say that's normal.

When bleeding the fluid through on full lock though it does sound like air is trapped in the rack/pipes and even after 30 plus lock to lock it wouldn't go and air bubble would still appear in the reservoir.

Upon starting the car the fluid in reservoir dropped to about half way. Topped it up and it's held the same amount after the test drive just fine.

Only thing I can think is a seal has gone in the rack or something silly like a top mount is adding resistance to the steering
 
Pitkin2020 said:
Well I swapped the pump out again this evening (much quicker this time lol)
No difference, what's odd is that upon axle stands the steering is lovely and smooth full lock to full lock, you get the pump whine when holding it on full lock but I'd say that's normal.

When bleeding the fluid through on full lock though it does sound like air is trapped in the rack/pipes and even after 30 plus lock to lock it wouldn't go and air bubble would still appear in the reservoir.

Upon starting the car the fluid in reservoir dropped to about half way. Topped it up and it's held the same amount after the test drive just fine.

Only thing I can think is a seal has gone in the rack or something silly like a top mount is adding resistance to the steering
Click to expand...
Did you solve this finally ?
 
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