Powerr Steering Trouble

[Guest xantiabargainbuyer]

my 97 xantia suddenly started getting heavy points in the steering in certain parts of the lock. goin from lock to lock it can be fine but other times, i will get half a turn ok then it will be asif there is no power steering atall, then half a turn leter its ok again. i know that the steering runs on LHM with the suspension and the brakes, but dont know to much about the steering side of things. i've checked the UJ joint on the steering column and cant find any problems, and listening carefully, i can hear the pump straining when i hold the steering at a tight spot. i just wanted to know if anyone had an idea of what this could be or if they had ever come accross this before?

 

All help is gratefully taken.

thanks, Carl.

[DickieG]

If its not the UJ, then is the auxilliary belt slipping? This could be down to an old belt or even a worn crank pulley. Failing that then is the LHM clean? It should be a very bright luminous green colour, if not then it may be that the filters within the LHM tank require cleaning. If the LHM is yellow or even worse black, then flush out the old LHM and replace with Hydraflush (buy it from GSF @ £15) and run it in the car for 1000 miles which may solve the problem.

 

If they don't solve it, you're then onto new pump/steering rack etc.