Heavy steering

[WhiteD3]

This morning I've found the steering in the D3 to be heavy. Best described as going from the normal one finger steering to needing a hand to turn a corner. No alarms or warnings, fluid level is fine and the car is normal in every other respect. I can't see a related fuse in the manual. Tyre pressures are normal.

Had a mate who has a D3 TDV6 drive it just to check I wasn't imagining it.

Came back from Fraser Is on Monday and all was fine. Washed the car with a Gernie yesterday, including the engine bay but didn't drive it, so I assume the problem is related to my washing out the engine bay.

Ideas, suggestions any one?

Cheers.

[CaverD3]

could just be the belt slipping?

[isuzurover]

Failed ball joint/bearing? (or whatever the D3s use instead of swivel bearings)

[Graeme]

Perhaps the steering thinks you're travelling at high speed so providing less assist due to a PS solenoid connector having been dislodged. Steering angle sensor?

[djhampson]

Have you checked your tire pressures?

My steering felt very heavy when we drove from Freshwater to the Barge on Friday.


Edit - Oops you've done that bit... must learn to read :)

[inside]

Variable speed steering working as in is it still easy to turn at idle? Does the pump sound normal when steering? What about strange noises while varying the revs and turning wheel side to side?

[WhiteD3]

Variable speed steering working as in is it still easy to turn at idle? Does the pump sound normal when steering? What about strange noises while varying the revs and turning wheel side to side?

No sounds, nothing. Booked in tomorrow AM for LR to take a peek.

[WhiteD3]

There's a steering shaft that passes through the fire wall. On the engine bay side there's a small uni joint that connects to the rack. This joint was seized. Replaced under the Allianz warranty.

Service from SS LR was excellent:).

[djhampson]

Good to hear. It would be interesting to find out how much the repair would have been without the waranty.

It might have just paid for itself :D

[WhiteD3]

Good to hear. It would be interesting to find out how much the repair would have been without the waranty.

It might have just paid for itself :D

~$450 although I'm not sure if that's for the part only. It was a 30 minute job to remove it.

[Neil P]

..... there's a small uni joint that connects to the rack. This joint was seized.

Is there a grease zerk on this joint ?

[WhiteD3]

Is there a grease zerk on this joint ?

No, nothing like that. It's a very simple, basic uni joint.