Power steering.....

[Davehitch]

Power steering works for roughly 10 - 15 mins then cuts out at slow speeds after that, around 10 mph or less there's no assistance whatsoever.

Speed picks up and all seems OK again.

I've tried plenty of wd40 on both universal joints which doesn't seem to have improved things.

Can't see any apparent leaks or fluid loss but will have a good check again when I get time tomorrow.
Recon steering rack fitted a few months ago but I've only owned the van for a few weeks and the steering has always had the fault since I've had it.

Booked in the garage Friday but would be grateful for the thoughts of bongo world so I may be able to point the mechanic in the right direction!

Many thanks in advance,

Dave.

[Bongolia]

Hi. Is there any noise that accompanies the loss of assistance?
When you rev the engine with the power steering reservoir cap removed do you see the fluid moving?

[Bongolia]

Sorry pushed the submit key too early.
Is the drive belt tensioned correctly?

[mikeonb4c]

Whereabouts roughly are you. Is the garage a Bingo specialist?

[Davehitch]

Thanks!

I haven't checked either of those things,

2.5 td so definitely runs through a belt?

Should the fluid be moving when you move the wheel or is this bad?

No noise when when the steering stiffens up so I guess that's a good thing?

Thanks again

Dave.

[Bongolia]

Yes you should see fluid movement.

[Davehitch]

Whereabouts roughly are you. Is the garage a Bingo specialist?

South cumbria,

I'm thinking the more info I can give the better!

Just checked for the fluid moving and it does seem to go up and down a couple of millimetres when turning the wheel.

I've sprayed chain lube on the uj's as well now so see if things improve a little.

Dave.

[Bongolia]

I did it again! No its not bad.

[mikeonb4c]

Whereabouts roughly are you. Is the garage a Bingo specialist?

South cumbria,

I'm thinking the more info I can give the better!

Just checked for the fluid moving and it does seem to go up and down a couple of millimetres when turning the wheel.

I've sprayed chain lube on the uj's as well now so see if things improve a little.

Dave.

Ah ok. Nearest specialists i can think of are Manchester/Lancs but Bongolia seems to know his stuff and the system ought not to be anything that special to Bongos so hopefully get sorted soon.

[Bongolia]

It would seem that either the pump is not pumping to the correct pressure or a valve is sticking, it may be swarf from the new rack, the system not having been flushed properly when fitting the rack.
When you take it in to the garage they will pressure check the pump output, but you might ask them to carry out a full flush of the system, not just a drain and refill,before condemning anything .
Resist the temptation to stick in an additive this should not be necessary a proper flush will clear most intermittent sticking valves and if it is swarf it wont help.
As to the UJ`s it is unlikely that seized UJ`s would have much of an influence in the situation you describe. When the garage works on a steering complaint all related components would be checked.
Let us know the outcome.

[rita]

Thanks!

I haven't checked either of those things,

2.5 td so definitely runs through a belt?

Should the fluid be moving when you move the wheel or is this bad?

No noise when when the steering stiffens up so I guess that's a good thing?

Thanks again

Dave.

No the TD does not have a belt, the pump is gear driven from the crankshaft gear train, you need to have the fluid pressure checked (in order) to eliminate pump or hose failure. If the UJs prove to be OK.

Good Luck.

[Davehitch]

Little update...

Vans in the garage tomorrow, but on the way down noticed that if I go into neutral and rev the engine the steering frees up and can be turned, revs drop and steering heavy again.

Dave.

[Bongolia]

Hope a flush clears it
Keep us posted as to the outcome.

[Davehitch]

Flushed and new fluid today,

No sign of any leaks but unfortunately no improvement.

Looking like a new pumps on the cards.

They did find however that the steering rack wasn't tightened up properly and the steering jumped when they were test driving.

So now sits with a quarter turn offset on the steering wheel!

Could have ended up having a serious accident, especially as I've just done a 200 round trip last weekend down the m6.

Keep you posted

Dave.

[rita]

Hi Dave, out of interest what were the figures for the pressure test, and did they have a look at the PRV/BY-PASS valve.