Power steering very heavy - normal?

[BrianElloy]

Hey guys - my new ‘16 D4 TDV6 compared to my ‘11 D4V8 has much heavier steering

I sort of noticed it but ignored as I like a heavier feel, but SWMBO hates it..

Tyre pressure is not a real factor as the V8 is at 40psi on all 4 and the TD is 36/38 F/R

Did they change poser steering calibration between years?

[Tombie]

More likely Alignment.... especially at slower speeds..

[BrianElloy]

It does pull slightly to the left but it feels under-boosted to me

Are there any changes between model years?

[BobD]

An obvious one but have you checked the fluid level? Mine blew an ORing on the connection to the rack and ran out of fluid very quickly.

[Graeme]

Its under warranty so get a dealer to check it.

[BrianElloy]

Guys the car had just been dealer serviced so fluids ok

Dealer did a full mechanical diagnostic apparently and all checked out

I need to know if the part numbers are the same or not as a first port of call

Starting to worry me a bit truth be told. SWMBO keeps bringing it up and my ears are starting to bleed .

[trout1105]

I have no idea how to adjust the idle speed Up on a D4 but on many cars/trucks this usually sorts out this problem [thumbsupbig]

[Tombie]

There’s likely some weight difference up front between the engines.

Also, are the wheels the same diameter? What tyres? Different rubber can feel different.

Also, If the Alignment has more camber then the vehicle will feel heavier at low speed...

[letherm]

Guys the car had just been dealer serviced so fluids ok

Dealer did a full mechanical diagnostic apparently and all checked out

I need to know if the part numbers are the same or not as a first port of call

Starting to worry me a bit truth be told. SWMBO keeps bringing it up and my ears are starting to bleed .

See if the dealer has a demo of the same model and ask for a test drive to see if has the same feel. At least you'd know if it was normal or not.

Martin

[BrianElloy]

See if the dealer has a demo of the same model and ask for a test drive to see if has the same feel. At least you'd know if it was normal or not.

Martin

good idea Martin but this is a D4 mate and they're a JLR dealer - so all demo's are D5's!

[BrianElloy]

So I took a friends 2011 SDV6 for a drive last night (it has 106,000 Km’s on the clock)

It wa definitely heavier than my ‘11 V8 but not as heavy as the ‘16 TDV6

Now I’m bloody confused

All I can presume is the V8 must be more boosted than the V6’s, and that the more miles you put in the car the lighter the steering becomes

Not a very scientific or fact based conclusion I know ...

[Tombie]

Like I keep saying... slightly more camber makes it heavier...
And rubber choice and rim diameter can make it feel different also...

[trout1105]

Is your steering in the V8 lighter initially on startup/warm up than when running at operating temperature ?
My D2a V8 has lighter steering initially on startup and I put this down to the extra engine idling speed on startup spinning the power steering pump faster or the power steering fluid being colder and more viscus initially.
My power steering pump was replaced with a new genuine unit about 30K's ago.

[BrianElloy]

Like I keep saying... slightly more camber makes it heavier...
And rubber choice and rim diameter can make it feel different also...

Standard specs on alignment
Normal 19’s with factory Goodyear rubber

[Tombie]

Yes.. but which end of the spec?
Mines at the extreme end to make it a bit more stable at speed, trade off is heavier when slow

[BrianElloy]

Yes.. but which end of the spec?
Mines at the extreme end to make it a bit more stable at speed, trade off is heavier when slow

good question, dunno..

[Russrobe]

good question, dunno..

I tell you what's not normal is what I'm experiencing right now with my steering, power steering is surging in and out at low speeds. Not sure what's wrong but the fluids still full and flowing while the engine's running. Sorry to hijack the thread but it's relevant really. Also I think i noticed it getting gradually heavier over the last 2 weeks although not it's surging from easy turning to hard to easy as you spin the wheel....

Any ideas? No fault codes on IID.

Cheers

[bee utey]

I tell you what's not normal is what I'm experiencing right now with my steering, power steering is surging in and out at low speeds. Not sure what's wrong but the fluids still full and flowing while the engine's running. Sorry to hijack the thread but it's relevant really. Also I think i noticed it getting gradually heavier over the last 2 weeks although not it's surging from easy turning to hard to easy as you spin the wheel....

Any ideas? No fault codes on IID.

Cheers

That sounds like water has got into one side of a steering column universal joint and it's somewhat seized with rust. I used to insert those into a tin of oil overnight after heating the oil to 120°C on a gas stove, but I'd suspect a new one would be better in your case.

[Russrobe]

That sounds like water has got into one side of a steering column universal joint and it's somewhat seized with rust. I used to insert those into a tin of oil overnight after heating the oil to 120°C on a gas stove, but I'd suspect a new one would be better in your case.Highly possible considering that deep water crossing I did just before it started to happen. Hopefully more so just the water and less the rust!! Could I just flush the system maybe? Cycle through fresh oil?

[Russrobe]

Ah never mind I misread your last. I will have a look at the uni joint tomorrow

[Russrobe]

Not sure if you have the surging in an out problem at all Brian, but most people, including myself report the steering getting gradually heavier before surging in and out. Would be very rare on such a low mileage example as your new one is I'd imagine but you never know, all you need to do to check is jack up the front 2 wheels and try turning the wheel by hand. Should turn with relative ease.

FYI for anyone who ends up at this thread in the future with my issue, check out this thread on replacing the lower steering column (there's nothing on aulro).
DISCO3.CO.UK - View topic - Steering stiff - New lower column fitted with guide (https://www.disco3.co.uk/forum/steering-stiff-new-lower-column-fitted-with-guide-56798-45.html)
I've just ordered a new one, it seems quite common for my mileage and although I could probably unseize the one side that's stuck, it's not something I want to break in the middle of nowhere so better to be safe than sorry with such a critical part!

[BrianElloy]

Not sure if you have the surging in an out problem at all Brian, but most people, including myself report the steering getting gradually heavier before surging in and out. Would be very rare on such a low mileage example as your new one is I'd imagine but you never know, all you need to do to check is jack up the front 2 wheels and try turning the wheel by hand. Should turn with relative ease.

FYI for anyone who ends up at this thread in the future with my issue, check out this thread on replacing the lower steering column (there's nothing on aulro).
DISCO3.CO.UK - View topic - Steering stiff - New lower column fitted with guide (https://www.disco3.co.uk/forum/steering-stiff-new-lower-column-fitted-with-guide-56798-45.html)
I've just ordered a new one, it seems quite common for my mileage and although I could probably unseize the one side that's stuck, it's not something I want to break in the middle of nowhere so better to be safe than sorry with such a critical part!


no surging mate - consistantly heavy (to be more accurate, heavier than what Im used to in my D4V8)

btw latest note from the stealership is that they updated the control arm geometry with the D4 facelift to 'improve on-road handling' from the pre-facelift models. This may explain a lot though (as an engineer, as expected) I've asked for some details to support this. stay tuned.

[Charliektm400exc]

I've asked for some details to support this

Don’t hold your breath.

[Tombie]

As an engineer you’d also be aware of manufacturing and operating tolerances...

Will be interesting to see what you uncover..