Thread: Power steering very heavy - normal?

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

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.

Originally Posted by Tombie

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

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

Originally Posted by 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

good question, dunno..

Originally Posted by BrianElloy

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

Originally Posted by Russrobe

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.

Originally Posted by bee utey

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?