Steering

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ian11

New Member
Posts
33
Is the steering supposed to be heavy when parking? I only bought the car the other day, my old one was a fiat grande punto with dual drive, so you could turn the wheel with your little finger, I dont expect the freelander to be the same, but it feels very heavy when parking
 
Freelanders are a bit tighter due to the way the 4x4 system works. It's the differing ratio of drive to the front and rear wheels that causes it. Can also be a seized vcu. As it's new to you, I'd do the vcu test in my sig below to test your vcu. There's loads about vcu's on ere, and how they can damage yer Freelander when failed. Once tested you know everything is ok. are all the tyres the same size/make eg 16 165 or whatever?
 
I agree. Freelander's steering is pretty heavy. Mine has 235/50 R18 tyres. Sometimes when I have to park the car in a very abrasive terrain, I put the gearbox on N position and press the gas pedal to increase revs. The steering then becomes silky. Of course changing gears to turn the steering wheel is not a practical solution, but it works.
Then I concluded the steering pump doesn't work properly on low revs, at least for my tyres configuration. Wonder if this is an issue with high profile tyres (215/75 R15). I am considering changing mines.
 
Thanks for the replies, I've put more air in the front tyres, just under the maximum allowed, its quite a bit lighter now!!!
 
I've noticed that if you give it some gas in neutral it is a lot lighter, the problem is at low revs. Any ideas?
 
Thanks for the replies, I've put more air in the front tyres, just under the maximum allowed, its quite a bit lighter now!!!

What do you mean the most allowed!? The pressures are in the handbook at 30psi I hope you ate not looking at a max preside figure printed on the tyre - that is way too much
 
Just run a quick check on your vcu for piece of mind. Put your car in reverse & go back with the steering on full lock. It should feel like the handbrake is half on/dragging a little but shouldn't stall on you. If you need lots of revs to get it moving then your vcu is on its way out.
 
ian11,
I guess that at lower revs the steering pump pressure is too low. Then a smaller diameter pulley for the steering pump would make it run faster at any given engine speed, increasing the hydraulic pressure when idling.
I foresee some problems if one tries this:
1. Serpentine belt tension will decrease with a smaller pulley for the steering pump, unless this can be compensated (tensioner pulley).
2. At very high revs (6000 rpm), the steering pump pressure may exceed limits.
3. The steering can become too light when the car is moving.
Has someone tried this? Don’t even know if it is feasible.:confused:
 
after being heavy for the last couple of weeks, all of a sudden the steering became exeptionally light for a couple of hours, then went heavy again, also, when you move the steering wheel from lock to lock at idle, its moves then seems to jam slightly before moving again, it does this imtermitantly, almost as if the pump is cutting in and out
 
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