Power Steering very stiff

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steveinbulgaria

New Member

Posts

3

• Aug 4, 2008

• #1

Hi - have a 1990 110 TDI lhd. Power steering has gone very stiff especially right turn (almost seizes up and I have to use a great deal of force to turn the steering wheel past the point at which it goes stiff). Changed the ATF oil - seemed to cure the problem for a few days but now started again. Also steering box leaks when steering stiffens!!

Any idea of the prob or cure? Cheers

 

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Sean

Banned

Posts

19,268

Location

Orkney

• Aug 4, 2008

• #2

have you checked the UJ's along the steering column ?

where is it leaking from ? - steering boxes arent much fun to rebuild so you might want to start looking out for a replacement

 

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boydy1989

Well-Known Member

Posts

3,063

Location

Northants/Oxfordshire/Warwickshire

• Aug 4, 2008

• #3

I have a disco one soon, should be available soon. Could be a valve somewhere isn't opening, so the pressure builds up forcing it out past the seals.

 

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steveinbulgaria

New Member

Posts

3

• Aug 5, 2008

• #4

Thanks guys.......checked the UJ's on the column - they are fine. Yes I think a valve may be the prob but I am not sure where it might be or what is causing it to remain close or why it works once the oil has been drained and refilled..... after this posting yesterday I found the landy had dumped all the ATF oil from box onto the drive last night - refilled resevoir, drove 70 miles, OK this morning!! Any other thoughts?

 

Patman1200

Active Member

Posts

908

Location

RAE Sleepy Valley

• Aug 5, 2008

• #5

Sounds like a blockage of some sort. When blocked and the pump is still going the oil has to go somewhere, so out is the easiest place for it.

I would disconnect the pipes and drain them and then inspect everything for some source of the blockage. Could be the rubber in the pipes breaking down or an O-ring broken down.

 

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locket

Active Member

Posts

272

• Aug 5, 2008

• #6

I would suspect your steering pump, check the resovoir for foaming. Stiff steering and leaks sugest over pressurising and the pump drawing in air because the seals are leaking.

 

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steveinbulgaria

New Member

Posts

3

• Aug 5, 2008

• #7

Thanks guys for your suggestions - very helpfull. I will investigate further.