Heavy steering

[Terranical]

Over the past few months my steering has been getting heavier, at idle speeds it's almost as though there is no power steering at all, even at cruising speeds it's very heavy. P/s fluid is up to the correct mark, belt is tight, tyres are up to pressure (I've even tried putting 2 or 3 extra pounds in all round to no effect)
and front wheel alignment has been checked. Anyone got any ideas? :nenau:

 

[rustic]

I will assume you are in normal two wheel drive at this point...

If you increase the idle revs slightly, with the hand throttle, does it improve?

It does require minimum revs to run it, could the idle revs have dropped?

What are the revs at normal idle, and what are they, when or if it improves?

Mine is heavy if the belt gets wet, say after hosing it down, but recovers when revved a few seconds.

 

[(RIP) PLANK]

It's been a long time since I've owned a TD, this used to be considered a common fault, I was told to try a dollop of molyslip auto gearbox treatment in the steering fluid and it worked a treat, I don't know if anyone else remembers the molyslip man being involved with the club?

 

[rustic]

It's been a long time since I've owned a TD, this used to be considered a common fault, I was told to try a dollop of molyslip auto gearbox treatment in the steering fluid and it worked a treat, I don't know if anyone else remembers the molyslip man being involved with the club?

Yes I remember Richard from Molyslip, he also has an ebay web site.
Crewchiefs Pit Stop
Richard Blanchette
Phone: 01327 354 356
Fax: 0791 863 3693
Email: [email protected]

Send him an email with the problem and he will advise quantities required etc.
He used to offer our club discount. So worth a call or email.

Hope it helps,
best regards,
Rustic

 

[solarman216]

Over the past few months my steering has been getting heavier, at idle speeds it's almost as though there is no power steering at all, even at cruising speeds it's very heavy. P/s fluid is up to the correct mark, belt is tight, tyres are up to pressure (I've even tried putting 2 or 3 extra pounds in all round to no effect)
and front wheel alignment has been checked. Anyone got any ideas? :nenau:

pump on the way out, pressure relief valve stuck open, Rick

 

[Terranical]

Hi guys, thanks for all the suggestions
Rustic - the idle speed is about 550-600 and the steering does lighten when the revs pick up, but it is still far heavier than it was around a year or so ago. At normal cruising speed it used to be quite light, but now there is a definite drag. When parking, even with the revs increased by the hand throttle, it needs both hands on the wheel and a firm tug to pull it round, my daughter, who uses the car when I'm not in Spain, really struggles with it.

I think the Molyslip approach might be the first thing to try, I'll email the guy later - if that doesn't help I guess it's going to be Solarman's suggestion, a new pump. Do these pumps fail regularly i.e. is it worth buying second handor should it be new (imagine they are pretty pricey). Bruce