Power steering oddity

Hello all
First technical post here but I have been a member for a while.
I have a 1993 200tdi defender 90 that I’ve owned for 6 years. The steering has always been horrible as in heavy, vague, very little self Center and just generally horrible and scary compared to my sons 110 td5. It has a 6 bolt box with absolutely no leaks from the system anywhere, hubs, joints, uj’s etc all good and never had any mot issues with the steering my tester also agrees it’s not the best but nothing to fail the test with.
Tried and checked most things suggested on this forum but it’s still dreadful.
I was and still am suspecting a bad pump or box I done a bit more diagnostics this morning and what I found is baffling me. If I connect a hose from the bleed nipple on the box with the other end into the reservoir I get a really good flow turning left but as good as nothing when turning right?
The way I see it is the pump should pump in both directions. Would anyone know what could cause this or even confirm that this is correct? Is there any valves in the box that could be blocked or stuck.
I’m happy to replace the box and the pump if required.
Any advice would be very appreciated

Email Mike from Britannica Restorations for advice at [email protected]

Sounds more like the box than the pump. If you're getting fluid then the pumps still working to get that fluid there but the fact that nothing is coming out when you turn right points more to an issue with the steering box than the pump itself I reckon

l guess a new steering box wouldn't be a bad thing after nearly 30 years. l think it's easy to forget how old these vehicles actually are. Most cars would long ago have been recycled into drinks cans and nails.

Thanks all the the reply’s so far, I’ve sent a email to Mike at Britannia restorations, if he reply’s I’ll post what he suggested.
Cheers

Troutfisher said:

Thanks all the the reply’s so far, I’ve sent a email to Mike at Britannia restorations, if he reply’s I’ll post what he suggested.
Cheers

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Hi, did you manage to resolve the steering issue? I ask because we also have a '93 90tdi with, frankly, alarming steering, similar symptoms. Our' 85 110's steering is spot on. Local independent replaced uj, but couldn't find anything else untoward.
J.

Scooby22 said:

Email Mike from Britannica Restorations for advice at [email protected]

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I think you have to have a regular subscription to his YouTube channel, or something, to be able to do that Scooby22. Might be wrong though, mate!

Probably a valve problem in the box. I had the opposite of to much pressure which resulted in steering that could be turned at standstill with your little finger, quite nice off road but dodgy, scary on the road.

Jfsa said:

steering,

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Jfsa said:

Hi, did you manage to resolve the steering issue? I ask because we also have a '93 90tdi with, frankly, alarming steering, similar symptoms. Our' 85 110's steering is spot on. Local independent replaced uj, but couldn't find anything else untoward.
J.

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I replaced the 6 bolt steering box with a good used 4 bolt as Mike from Britannia restorations suggested he also mentioned it could be valve issues. easy enough job as direct replacement, heavy work getting the new one in position and bolted up on your own though.
Has made a difference however still not as good as my discovery which is basically the same or my sons TD5 110.
I’m struggling with what to do next really

Jfsa said:

Hi, did you manage to resolve the steering issue? I ask because we also have a '93 90tdi with, frankly, alarming steering, similar symptoms. Our' 85 110's steering is spot on. Local independent replaced uj, but couldn't find anything else untoward.
J.

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@Jfsa Have you investigated your panhard rod bushes? It can be tricky to tell they're worn when under the car giving them a pull. However, when these bushes wear they provide a hair raising driving experience which feels like the steering has become completely detached.

Troutfisher said:

I replaced the 6 bolt steering box with a good used 4 bolt as Mike from Britannia restorations suggested he also mentioned it could be valve issues. easy enough job as direct replacement, heavy work getting the new one in position and bolted up on your own though.
Has made a difference however still not as good as my discovery which is basically the same or my sons TD5 110.
I’m struggling with what to do next really

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Thanks for the update.
I guess that's another potential cause ruled out, then.
Hoping to get a second (or third) opinion on the problem soon.

Al2O3 said:

@Jfsa Have you investigated your panhard rod bushes? It can be tricky to tell they're worn when under the car giving them a pull. However, when these bushes wear they provide a hair raising driving experience which feels like the steering has become completely detached.

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Thanks for the suggestion. Two person job to check for panhard bush wear when on the ground?
It's more random lurches (as if it's following changes in camber on the road) rather than a consistent wobble, though.

Panhard rod bush wear isn't a consistent wobble. It can feel fine, then you hit a little bump in the road and then you get a death wobble that scares the sh1t out of you. Then you're all over with the steering wheel trying to gain control and it feels as though the everything is coming apart and the front wheels have a mind of their own.

With panhard bush's I have found that original type are better than poly ones.

tottot said:

With panhard bush's I have found that original type are better than poly ones.

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Me too, but they're a bu@@er to change. I've got poly ones cos they're easy peasy. You've just got to nip them up hellish tight.

Steering issues update.
After failure to find any faults, as a last resort changed (hideous) 265 70r16 tyres for 750x16 and... problem has disappeared.
Hardly a cheap fix, and I wonder if the problem will return once the tyres have worn in.
So much more pleasant to drive, but now I have 5 x 265's in the dining room - and Mrs Jfsa hasn't said a word about it. Yet.