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        General >> Problems >> Steering Problem in reverse.
        
(Message started by: Spannerdemon on Jan 4^th, 2007, 4:08pm)

Title: Steering Problem in reverse.
Post by Spannerdemon on Jan 4^th, 2007, 4:08pm

Strange one this.

Start the car in the morning. All 100% and no problems.

Reverse out of the drive.........no problems whatsoever.

Drive to work (approx 8 miles), and then, at the bottom of a long hill turn into a small side road where I park.
I always turn the car round, so that I can drive straight out when I leave work, and this is where I'm getting a problem.

Drive forward off the main road into a turning. Put the car into reverse, to reverse into an available space, and the steering wheel judders slightly for about 10 seconds whilst I reverse it into the space, after which it's perfectly OK again.

Drive out later, and it's as though nothing ever happened. Weird it is....WEIRD!!

All levels are OK, and hoses all fine, no leaks or anything.

Anyone got any ideas as to why the car should be perfectly OK first thing in the day, but then give me this problem?? ???

Title: Re: Steering Problem in reverse.
Post by Simmo on Jan 4^th, 2007, 7:00pm

If you are holding it on full lock throughout the manouvres that may be the cause. Try easing off the steering slightly instead of,if you are, holding it on full lock. Won't do the seals much good.

Title: Re: Steering Problem in reverse.
Post by Tony_Bradley on Jan 4^th, 2007, 9:52pm

HI

I had that problem on a '96 Cossie estate that I had to write off.

The garage said it was either Power steering rack bushes causing a kick back or the Power steering pump failing.

Hope this isn't too bad news

Best Regards

Tony

Title: Re: Steering Problem in reverse.
Post by Spannerdemon on Jan 4^th, 2007, 11:28pm

Thanks for your replies.

No, it's not on full lock at any time, but if it's the Steering pump or Steering rack then can anyone give me an idea of prices to replace these, and any other Scorp models which I might get them from. Might try my breakers. It's a 12v 2.9.

I've also found out through the site information that the Power Steering Pressure (PSP) switch may be faulty or have become disconnected. Can somebody point me to where this is located please.

I'd do the work myself whatever it is. I don't trust garages. ;)

Title: Re: Steering Problem in reverse.
Post by jonnycab on Jan 4^th, 2007, 11:53pm

Spanners........have the front wheels been off the ground recently ?
It could just be the steering settling down again :)

P.S....if it's the steering rack then you can get one for around £200 from a good motor shop.....that's what I paid for one for my old Scorp.

Title: Re: Steering Problem in reverse.
Post by Highlander on Jan 5^th, 2007, 12:09am

http://www.buypartsby.co.uk/steering-rack-display.php?txtmodel=Scorpio&txtmake=Ford&Submit=Next

Title: Re: Steering Problem in reverse.
Post by jonnycab on Jan 5^th, 2007, 12:16am

Wow Stuart......that's cheap.....think I'll put that site in my favourites list, just in case ;)

Title: Re: Steering Problem in reverse.
Post by Dave on Jan 5^th, 2007, 3:27pm

Could be air in the system, might be worth bleeding it.

Do this by putting the front wheels on magazines to act as turntables, then turn the steering wheel slowly from almost lock to almost lock a few times :)

Title: Re: Steering Problem in reverse.
Post by Spannerdemon on Jan 6^th, 2007, 6:48am

OK. Tried bleeding it. No change.

Wheels have not been off the ground recently, but I'd still like to know where the PSP switch is. Can anybody point me to its location please?

Thanks ;)

Title: Re: Steering Problem in reverse.
Post by scorpio_man on Jan 6^th, 2007, 9:49am

hi there

on the 2.3 it's on the 'u' pipe just to the front left of the engine.

hth

Title: Re: Steering Problem in reverse.
Post by cscars1 on Jan 6^th, 2007, 1:50pm

i had the same thing on my scorpio
the car drove ok
but when i reversed back into a parking space i could feel a judder and hear a rubbing sort of noise coming from the steering

i checked ever thing and found it to be the brake pads are a hard type and rub the discs when reversing
thats the only time the judder and noise happens is when reversing slowly

check that
as it is a lot cheaper than changing the rack

Title: Re: Steering Problem in reverse.
Post by Spannerdemon on Jan 6^th, 2007, 3:32pm

Thanks for this, I'll check.

You may well be on to something here, because this only happens after braking on this VERY long hill going down to where I now work, which has several nasty bends. I'll check it out on my next day off. Bear with me.

Thanks also for the location of the Sensor. I'll come back with any findings along with photos if appropriate.

I've noticed the ABS light coming on a few times too, but it always goes off again. Time to get the jack and ramps out...!! ;)

Title: Re: Steering Problem in reverse.
Post by twinturbo on Jan 7^th, 2007, 7:20pm

Wishbone reare bushes by any chance?

TT

Title: Re: Steering Problem in reverse.
Post by Spannerdemon on Jan 9^th, 2007, 10:28am

OK. Got this one sorted.

Steering pump pipe to the rack had collapsed internally. The inner wall of the pipe was flattening under pressure and starving the steering rack of fluid from time to time. The pipe was horribly gungy inside.

I've now drained and re-filled the reservoir, bled it and replaced the pipe with one from my local breakers, and everything is working fine again now.

Thanks for all your helpful suggestions. :D

Title: Re: Steering Problem in reverse.
Post by Dave on Jan 9^th, 2007, 11:00am

Nice work! :)

Title: Re: Steering Problem in reverse.
Post by Spannerdemon on Jan 9^th, 2007, 11:03am

Cheers Dave. :)

Title: Re: Steering Problem in reverse.
Post by Simmo on Jan 9^th, 2007, 12:18pm

Thats a new one S/D. I take it there was no obvious outward sign of a problem?. Glad you're sorted. ;) Mike

Title: Re: Steering Problem in reverse.
Post by Spannerdemon on Jan 9^th, 2007, 9:08pm

Thanks Mike.

No, all looked perfectly OK, and that was what was confusing me. It was only when I actually squeezed the pipe that I realised that it staying 'squeezed' when I let go of it.

The inner wall of the pipe had completely perished, and turned into a horrible sticky black mess.

I knew it was something weird....and it was.

All good now!! ;D