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        General >> Problems >> Heavy (?) steering
        
(Message started by: Vulcan on Feb 8^th, 2005, 3:51pm)

Title: Heavy (?) steering
Post by Vulcan on Feb 8^th, 2005, 3:51pm

Mostly the steering feels ok, nice and light at low speeds but every so often (and getting more often now) the low speed steering suddenly feels a bit heavy.

Not as if the power steering was off as that is virtually unsteerable but not as light as it should be.

If I switch off and back on again it's back as light as a feather again...till the next time :(

Anyone any ideas what it could be?

Title: Re: Heavy (?) steering
Post by Baz on Feb 8^th, 2005, 3:54pm

I would be interested in the reply to this as well George. Mine does the same. Usually at low speeds such as parking between cars etc. Steering feels like there is no power at all. Increase the revs a bit and all is fine. I was wondering if it could be an airlock in the fluid system somewhere or a loose belt?

Baz

Title: Re: Heavy (?) steering
Post by Snoopy on Feb 8^th, 2005, 3:57pm

The 24v Has sensotronic steering on it which varies the amout of power steering force according to the speed/ revs of the engine.. I just wonder if the sensor is playing up a little causing it to think it is actually travelling faster than it really is..

Thats the only thing I can think of really....Have you checked the level ( hot) and that you have no leaks into the bellows etc.....

check the connections onto the sensor on the steering rack... but others most probably know more than me on this one.

Title: Re: Heavy (?) steering
Post by Eddie on Feb 8^th, 2005, 5:53pm

Sounds like the pressure switch,attached to the underside of the pump,could be playing up.
Tyre pressures ok?

eddie

Title: Re: Heavy (?) steering
Post by mr._floppy on Feb 8^th, 2005, 6:05pm

I thought the pressure switch on the underside of the pump was there to maintain constant idle speed when parking

Title: Re: Heavy (?) steering
Post by johnv on Feb 8^th, 2005, 7:52pm

my 98 cosworth is the opposite, it so light it like driving on ice.
but the 96 2.0 is a little bit heavy but just a little.
the other 2.3 are sime where inbetween.
i talking at reversing speed and starting off speed but none of them are a problem.
none of them are real heavy.
before you all start on about the tyres i keep mine all at 30 psi. because i understand they should be 29. psi.

Title: Re: Heavy (?) steering
Post by Eddie on Feb 8^th, 2005, 9:00pm

Ref. Pressure switch,when turning the steering at low speeds the energy drain slows down the engine which in turn reduces the pressure available for the steering,the pressure switch compensates by maintaining rpm.
Thinking on a bit,you would have idle problems when operating the steering if it was the switch,which you havnt mentioned, back to the drawing board!

At great risk-My Omega had similar problems when trying to manouvre at low speeds,I had to keep blipping the throttle to get power assistance.
Since having new bottom 'wishbones' fitted and new tyres the problem has gone away.

eddie

Title: Re: Heavy (?) steering
Post by Eric_R on Feb 8^th, 2005, 9:29pm

Vulcan & Baz,
Have you checked the state of your drive belt(s) and tensioners? If the tensioners have corroded in place and not maintaining correct tension on it, the drive belt may be slipping. This particularly happens at high demand pressures - at parking speeds. If the tensioner is okay then the belt can squeal if it too loose and slipping, but if the tensioner(s) themselves are shot the belt will just slip.

See http://www.fordscorpio.co.uk/drivebelt.htm

Title: Re: Heavy (?) steering
Post by David_South_West on Feb 8^th, 2005, 11:05pm

I had a burst power steering pipe a few weeks ago.Could only get one from FMD £87....they wanted £100 to fit it....did it my self in an hour.Any way it has a an electrical connection on it I thought that was the valve for speed sensitive steering.If any one has to do this job initialy the connection to the rack feels loose 'till pressure builds up.It was a bit worrying 'cause the plate that holds the pipe in place had butted up to the rack and couldn't get any tighter..but all ok.

Title: Re: Heavy (?) steering
Post by Vulcan on Feb 8^th, 2005, 11:21pm

I haven't heard any squeal at all but I'll check out the drive belt tensioners tomorrow. Also I looked tonight (fair enough in the dark) and the fluid looked low to me, I am going to see if it needs topping up in daylight.
Hopefully not another expensive repair... this thing is going to bankrupt me.. ;D plus Kerry's Orion has decided to have little or no brakes today... it never rains...... :(

EDIT: just read back a few posts... I don't get any idle probs when turning at low speeds but I HAVE noticed that if I switch on the rear screen demister the fault with the steering comes almost immediately and doesn't go away (even with the rear screen off) till you turn off the engine and restart.

Title: Re: Heavy (?) steering
Post by Eddie on Feb 9^th, 2005, 3:16pm

Sticky ICV valve?? Not doing its job?

eddie