UDATE: Suspected powersteering fault

[StuR]

I think my powersteering Rack is broken. My steering seems to have a mind of its own. If I press the accelerator it moves slightly to one side, then if i take my food off, it goes back to the other side. The steering also feels very uneasy (scary) at higher speeds 50mph+.

1. Does this sound like the powersteering pump/rack has gone?

2. Can if be fixed easy enough or would I be better taking it to a machanic?

@Sven if you read this - have you got a full diagram for the powersteering system for my car in your box of tricks.

99' 155 HGT

Cheers

 

[Owen]

Re: **Need Help** Tom or Anyone Technical

Try the steering with both front wheels off the ground and engine off - if it goes smoothly from side to side and there is no play in the wheels its probably ok. bad tracking will also cause these problems, so check the steering gear for damage or bent track rods etc..

Owen.

 

[Stu R]

Re: **Need Help** Tom or Anyone Technical

One of the track rod ends did fail me recently.

Only had that one replaced though due to lack of funds but I did have it tracked up.

Do you think I should have the other rod end replaced??


Also some items I forgot to say on the previous post. I never really checked my power steering fluid level by removing the cap, I just look through the tank. Due to these problems, I removed the lid to find the fluid almost black. This has been changed though now.

Also, if the car is on a slight incline and I fully lock the steering, when I start to reverse I can hear a strange noise like a door creaking/grating noise.

I have also noticed that the movment of the steering wheel is no where near as bad at low speeds

 

[Tom]

Re: **Need Help** Tom or Anyone Technical

Something is loose or the tracking is out.

 

[Stu R]

Re: **Need Help** Tom or Anyone Technical

@Tom

So you don't think its the steering pump/rack then??

Would it be advisable to get the other rod end done then get it retracked else where??

Thanks for the input

 

[Tom]

Re: **Need Help** Tom or Anyone Technical

No, yes.

 

[Stu R]

Re: **Need Help** Tom or Anyone Technical

Cheers Tom.

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[Michael]

Re: **Need Help** Tom or Anyone Technical

Had similar problems with a ford escort (so this might not apply to a bravo) and thought it was the steering rack, turned out that the bushes connecting the wishbones had worn away, causing problems with steering and uneven wear on the tires, particularly on the inside edges.

 

[Anonymous]

Re: **Need Help** Tom or Anyone Technical

Here you go Stu.

Sorry for the late responce, am at the sea so am not on the net so often.

And like Tom sais - its something with the tracking, or wishbones (check the wishbones ball joints)

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[Anonymous]

re steering

This might sound a bit daft but there was somebody on a couple of weeks ago. Turned out he had a flat tyre

 

[Stu R]

Re: **Need Help** Tom or Anyone Technical

Defo not a flat tyre.

Checked them when the subject came up.

When I saw the Black power steering fluid I thought it had killed my rack/pump.

Will check the wishbone balljoint etc again. I have checked these already but the car was jacked up. Should I check these while the car is on the floor or jacked up. All the joints seemed ok and didn't move at all. Doesn't hurt to check again though.

Whats the best sign to look at for failing ball joint if they don't wobble about all over the place??

 

[beeson100]

Re: **Need Help** Tom or Anyone Technical

Could also be a bent drive shaft maybe if it happens under acceleration? My car has always steered slightly to the left and I've never worked out why. It's been lazer aligned and all the rest of it and it's fine. I've just learnt to deal with it!

 

[Pete]

Re: **Need Help** Tom or Anyone Technical

With the car on ground, handbrake on, try rolling the front wheels backwards and forwards with a lot of pressure. If there is wear in the wishbone inner bushes, the wheel will roll along the ground slightly.

 

[Tom]

Re: **Need Help** Tom or Anyone Technical

A bent driveshaft would vibrate, a LOT.

FWD cars will steer to one side a bit under acceleration, its called torque steer. Fundamental fact of life with FWD cars.

 

[Stu R]

Re: **Need Help** Tom or Anyone Technical

Cheers guys.

@Tom - This is more than just torque. It has never done this while I have had the car. I don't have to accelerate hard for the steering wheel to move to one side.

Also, there is no vibration what so ever.

When you say pressure, how much pressure are we talking???

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[Tom]

Re: **Need Help** Tom or Anyone Technical

If the tracking is out just a tiny bit the torque steer gets FAR worse.

 

[john]

Re: **Need Help** Tom or Anyone Technical

Had the same problem with my old hgt,except for the noises on lock,with it on the ramp at work you couldnt feel and excessive play in the front wheels and all seemed okay however when i removed the rack gaitor on the n/s steering fluid p155ed out.This meant the rack seals had failed,and driving it was lethal.Its worth checking just remove the outer clip to see if any fluid is present if so needs new rack.Also its a long shot but make sure that 1 of the front springs hasnt snapped at the base or a bottom ball joint isnt seized....

 

[Anonymous]

Re: **Need Help** Tom or Anyone Technical

Im not loosing any fluid. The reservoir is still full and there is no fluid on the floor. Not even a drop.

Could this still be the problem???

 

[Tom]

Re: **Need Help** Tom or Anyone Technical

There will be oil behind the rack gaiters, its what lubes the rack.

 

[john]

Re: **Need Help** Tom or Anyone Technical

there will be grease mate but if theres any oil then the rack is knackered,mine didnt loose any but the gaitor was full and replacing the rack cured it as the seals were loosing pressure hence the dangerous steering.Also most p/s system oils are black as night and it never causes a problem as the fluid is normally in for life due to the low pressures.