Power steering help please

[Brian S]

Hi.

I have a problem with my power steering in my 300Tdi Disco.

The problem it no longer works. Once rolling you can steer so no problem with joints or box in that respect.

I suspect either the pump or the box.

My question is, before I start messing is there a quick test to show me which is likely to be at fault.

I have a spare box but if that not it then its not an easy task and my steering is pretty good with little play and I dont want to introduce that.

I could try the pump first, but at £60 for a new one I would rather know if I can eliminate or prove it first.

I have checked the level and its fine.

Is there a possibility for air to get in, even though I have not touched any part of the system? I was going to try a bleed but dont think it would help as I say, it was fine one day then just stopped.

The power steering pump turns fine and there is no play or noise when I turn the pulley.

Thanks for your help.

 

[Mr Noisy]

Open the bleed screw and see what happens when the engine is running. If the pump is working at all you will get a fairly decent flow at least. Put a clear tube on the nipple to save the fluid if possible.

Try a bleed sequence anyway whilst you're at it, but afaik there isn't much else you can do apart from elimination...

Hth, cheers

 

[Brian S]

Cheers. I'll give that a go.

 

[Dippypud]

Cheers. I'll give that a go.

you'll need an assisstant...

 

[crazymac]

It does sound more like the pump than the box due to the sudden failure.

Its an easy job to do.

 

[jamesmartin]

air isnt really an issue as it has return pipe cant remember last time i had to bleed on through screw,but screw is as mr noisy says good prove of pump working

 

[Brian S]

Cracked open the bleed screw and no air but fluid was pumping out. Is this meaning a box change?

 

[jamesmartin]

pumped out or pouring out ? might be worth swapping box as you have one

 

[Mr Noisy]

There should be good pressure, make sure it's difficult to stop the flow with your thumb with the engine running. Get someone to stop the engine mid test and see if there's any difference...

Cheers

 

[Brian S]

I did not want to open the nipple too much but it was flowing out, not enough to squirt out. Should the pressure be quite high then?

 

[crazymac]

I did not want to open the nipple too much but it was flowing out, not enough to squirt out. Should the pressure be quite high then?

Yes, quite high.

Another way to check the pump is to take the lid off the fluid reseviour. Get an assistant to turn the steering side to side, you should see a drop or movement in the fluid as it pumps through the system.

 

[matthew2riches]

If you've got a spare box, it's only a few bolts and a couple of pipes. Then if it isn't that it can only really be the pump

 

[Brian S]

Bloody big tight bolts and arf a ton of box. :lol:

Perhaps the next workshop day I'll put it on the list when I have a pair of helping hands.

I will get my son to turn the wheel while I check the fluid later. I am thinking the pump might be at fault as I did not see a lot of pressure from the nipple, but the wheel was not being turned at the time, would that have made a difference?

 

[The Mad Hat Man]

is the 200TDi and 300TDi steering box the same, coz i got a leaking 300one, but a spare 200TDi?

 

[Fur Trapper]

is the 200TDi and 300TDi steering box the same, coz i got a leaking 300one, but a spare 200TDi?

Sorry MHM but did you do a search?:behindsofa:

 

[jamesmartin]

steering boxes are the same even across rrc ,disco defender ,number of bolts on top identifies 4 bolt ,3 bolt or 6 bolt although 4 bot and 6 bolt are directly inter changeable 3 bolt isnt as pipes fittings are different even though bolt securing is the same

 

[The Mad Hat Man]

no i didnt

thanks James