Hi all,

I have what seems to be an odd EPS issue on my Panda 100hp, I’m assuming it’s not just Panda related hence why I’m asking the question here.

If I just get in the car and drive the steering feels heavy, almost like it’s just happiest driving in a straight line and that’s it. Turning the wheel (even at speed) seems to require a disproportionate amount of effort and it completely spoils the fun aspect of the car. I have tried driving the car with the EPS fuse removed, so I know it definitely has assistance in this situation. However, if I start the car and turn the wheel lock to lock (l-r), I feel a soft ‘notch’ about 75% of the way round and then the steering feels as it should until the next time I drive it. The car has some other steering issues since recently having my rack reconditioned, but I think they may stem from this. Has anybody got any ideas?

Thanks in advance.

Was it like that before the rack was reconditioned, or did it start afterwards?
If nothing had been changed I would have suspected the EPS was failing and replaced it, but it's possible the reconditioning introduced the problem.
Or... it's possible the rack was actually fine and the EPS was failing.
Had one where there was a noticeable "notch" in one direction and an occasional sticky feeling when going lock-to-lock, together with a slightly "tight" feeling in general. It was the EPS. No fault codes or reduced assistance. Swapped it out and all was fine, but would have probably suspected the rack if I hadn't got a spare EPS laying around. (I didn't have a spare rack, so it was the easiest/cheapest for me to change at the time)

Thanks for the reply. The heaviness in the steering has been there since the column was reconditioned about 4 years ago. I’d taken it back to them a couple of years ago and the guy said it felt ok to him. I’ve only noticed the lock to lock thing since the rack was done. I lost confidence in the garage that originally diagnosed and fitted the rack, so have taken it somewhere else. He thinks that the rack is dodgy as the wheel does not centre properly from a left turn. I think I’m up to over a £1000 on the steering now, and spending another £500 is causing me some thoughts as to whether it’s all worth it, particularly as I’m not sure it will actually work.

Obviously, it's impossible to diagnose properly from a distance, but I still suspect the EPS. (Partly because the only time I've had to change a Panda steering rack was a precaution due to accident damage. They seem to last pretty well)

Who reconditioned the EPS? Maybe it's never been right.

There are a couple of places I'd trust to do it properly, and quite a few that I wouldn't.

Western Power Steering did the reconditioning, due to an eBay listing error they originally sent me a non 100hp column which was fitted without me realising. This caused issues so I took the car to Bristol and he diagnosed the problem and reconditioned my original column while I waited. I would agree with you about the rack, Mick at Shop 4 Parts can get me a genuine one from Italy for just over £300 but says he’s never been asked for one before.

The good news is that WPS is one of the places I would trust. The bad news is that it doesn't take us any further forwards.
Has the car ever had a front impact?

No, certainly not in my ownership (5 years). Part of my problem is sentimentality, I’m not really sure why but I love that car and just want it to drive (and steer!) properly. I’m sure it’s either the column or the rack, but as I’m not mechanically minded either one will cost £500ish fitted. I’m just perplexed at why turning the wheel lock to lock would make a difference.

Scotty100hp said:

No, certainly not in my ownership (5 years). Part of my problem is sentimentality, I’m not really sure why but I love that car and just want it to drive (and steer!) properly. I’m sure it’s either the column or the rack, but as I’m not mechanically minded either one will cost £500ish fitted. I’m just perplexed at why turning the wheel lock to lock would make a difference.

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This makes me think you have a power steering problem. The 100HP uses the high power setting (City on other models) by default. The Sport button peps up the throttle response and reduces the steering power assistance.

So the 100HP with its fat wheels and higher power assistance gives the steering motor a hard time compared to other Panda models.

Having said all of that, do check your battery and alternator are working properly. Low system voltage will causs the power steering to behave badly and the 100HP will be more sensitive than the others. A voltmeter will tell you what's going on and easy to connect. Voltage dropping when you see the problem would be a sign of charging/battery issues.

DaveMcT said:

This makes me think you have a power steering problem. The 100HP uses the high power setting (City on other models) by default. The Sport button peps up the throttle response and reduces the steering power assistance.

So the 100HP with its fat wheels and higher power assistance gives the steering motor a hard time compared to other Panda models.

Having said all of that, do check your battery and alternator are working properly. Low system voltage will causs the power steering to behave badly and the 100HP will be more sensitive than the others. A voltmeter will tell you what's going on and easy to connect. Voltage dropping when you see the problem would be a sign of charging/battery issues.

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Thanks, battery all fine, reading 14.2. - 14.4 when running.

Scotty100hp said:

Thanks, battery all fine, reading 14.2. - 14.4 when running.

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If volts are not dropping when the EPS plays up, it's likely you have a steering motor problem.