power steering

[rudy]

Hi,
A few days ago I drove my Stag for the first time this year. Each time I had to turn the car, I felt heavy points in the steering system. When I turn the steering wheel from lock tot lock I feel strong resistance at several positions of the steering wheel. When I repeat the action, it seems I feel the resistance at the same positions of the steering wheels.
In November, when I drove the Stag to his hibernation address, the steering was normal.
Anybody who knows what might cause the problem?
Thanks
Rudy

[V Mad]

Hi Rudy
It sounds like your PAS pump drive belt is slipping. You sometimes get a noise as it slips but not always. Check/tighten or renew.

[rudy]

Hi Chris,

Thanks for your reply. Belt tension is Ok. I lowered the idle speed to 500 rpm. When I turn the steering wheel, nothing happens, unitil I reach a point of resistance. When I turn the steering wheel further, the motor stops. It seems as if the motor doesn't have enough power. (When I set the idle speed higher again, the motor keeps on rotating)

[V Mad]

Rudy, when you say motor, do you mean the engine stalls when you turn the steering wheel or do you mean the pump stops? If the pump stops then the belt is slipping.

[martin]

Hi Rudy, it might just need bleeding, jack up the front wheels and with the engine running, turn slowly from lock to lock, check the fluid level in the PAS reservoir and keep going till bubbles stop appearing.
I almost hate to say it, but Stags put away for the winter almost always suffer, I reckon this is one example. Good luck, I hope it's nice and simple. Martin.

[saffronstag]

Hi Rudy,

If it's not the PAS belt as the other chaps suggested then give this a try as I had similar problem with tightness in the steering at certain points and was recommended to lubricate the steering shaft U/J down by the O/S mainfold as these can start to seize and give trouble. A generous squirt of WD40 and no trouble since.

Andy

[DJT]

Hi Rudy,

If it's not the PAS belt as the other chaps suggested then give this a try as I had similar problem with tightness in the steering at certain points and was recommended to lubricate the steering shaft U/J down by the O/S mainfold as these can start to seize and give trouble. A generous squirt of WD40 and no trouble since.

Andy

My money is on this one. Other than that, has the rack been greased recently? Every few thousand miles you are supposed to remove the small hex plug (set screw) on top of the rack and fit a grease nipple. Then pump six strokes of grease in, remove nipple and replace the plug.

[rudy]

Rudy, when you say motor, do you mean the engine stalls when you turn the steering wheel or do you mean the pump stops? If the pump stops then the belt is slipping.

Hi Chris/ V Mad:
it is the engine that stalls, not the pump. So I beleive the motor is not slipping.

[V Mad]

Ah right, that suggests that the belt is ok and the pump is doing its job. In that case as Andy and Dave have suggested something needs lubrication.

[rudy]

Hi Martin, DJT, Saffronstag,

Thanks for your answers! Steering is OK again.
Bleeding the system did not help. After I lubricated the joints and greased the rack, it was much easier to turn the steering wheel. It even improved after I had driven the Stag for about 10 km.
Thanks again! Just in time! Weather forcast for next week: sunny and >20°C!!
Rudy