power steering, not where is the reservoir...

[moremountain]

Hello there, I live in France so getting the bongo repaired involves trawling t'interweb to get some possible answers before I visit the mechanic. ( 4 wheel drive auto diesel P reg )
My Bongo has been driven by someone else for the last 3 months and they have only just alerted me to this problem so I do not know how it developed.
Anyway, the steering feels very stiff, almost like driving with flat tyres.
I checked the power steering reservoir and the fluid was at minimum so I topped it up. I went from lock to lock a few times to perge any air out the system.
It was not a miracle cure but it did seem to help, although the steering was still quite stiff. Thought it may get better over time due to there being air in the system.
Just driven it today and the steering is still very stiff. Checked the tyre pressure and topped up with air - still no better.

Are there any belts that need checking or could it be the actual steering pump.
Or worse still is there something major going wrong with my steering rack.

Had planned to go on a bit of a road trip in a few weeks so would really like to get this sorted ASAP.
Anyone experienced such a problem, any top tips

Thanks

Jon

[wonkanoby]

not finding much but one to try

http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... f+steering

http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... f+steering

http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... f+steering

new fluid seems the one

[moremountain]

Thanks, will try draining the fluid.
Anyone done this before?
Is it a case of undoing the tube from the reservoir or do I have to locate the steering pump and drain it from there?
If so where is the pump and drain tube?

Thanks

Jon

[rita]

Hi,

It would be worthwhile checking the universal couplings on the steering shaft (from the steering wheel to the rack)

they may have dried up.

[wonkanoby]

http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... ge#p237337