Power Steering problems - Help Please!!!!!

[Gerry]

1998 Brava 1.8ELX 105k

My power steering has all but gone.

Belt is ok but steering a bit "loose" and then very heavy. Plenty fluid - although seems a bit darker in colour than last time I checked it.

Mechanic neighbour turned steering back and forward on full lock to get rid of any airlock. Then took it for 4 mile run - no diff - quite scary to drive.

Any ideas where I should be looking - rack, pump etc? Are Bravos prone to power steering failure or is it just the age of the car?

Any idea on costs of new bits - or recon?

Funny thing - and probably not related whatsoever - car was fine yesterday but I had it jacked up at the back earlier today to secure the heatshield which protects petrol tank from exhaust.

Another point - I washed the car today with a pressure hose. Could I have damaged anything when I was hosing down the front of the car - a lot of water will probably have entered the engine bay through the gaps below the number plate area.

why do I see many ££££££ leaving my bank account?

Thanks in advance.

Gerry
Penicuik (near Edinburgh)

 

[Gerry]

Bump

 

[doost]

er,...in the absence of anyone else's wisdom i'll put my 2 pennorth in. had a service done last week and the guy said that my steering fluid was 'grubby' and would need replacing but it wasn't urgent so i'll do it new year. have no idea if excess 'grubbiness' can produce the symptoms of which you speak but probably wouldn't hurt to change it for a start.
Inconclusive, i know, but it's bumped for ya!

 

[Gerry]

Thanks Doost

Anyone else?

 

[Ash]

will be the pump or the rack my bet is on the pump as they usually go.

 

[Gerry]

How odd - power steering almost back to normal.

Mechanic thinks that car being high up on jack at one side may have caused airlock.

Will keep an eye on it.

 

[Stu R]

I had a very similar problem to this not so long back.

I was told that because power steering fluid should not need changing for the life of the car unless of course there is a major problem.

Turned out that my fault was nothing to do with the power steering pump or rack to which I first thought. I was due to the bottom bushes going on my wishbone. Was very scary to drive like that and made the steering feel very odd indeed. After it was replaced my steering was a sweet as a nut.

Might be worth a look before you splash out on a pump or rack.

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[Gerry]

Thanks for advice Stu

G