Freelander2 Sticky Steering

Hi All, I'm newly registered on here but I've been getting great ideas for fault finding for a while, hopefully i can pass on some advice to others in return.
I have recently had an issue with a whining noise coming from the auxiliary belt area, I narrowed this down to the power steering and found advice about the reservoir filter blocking flow to the pump causing the whining noise. After a week the steering also started to get heavy at low speed.
I replaced the PAS reservoir and fluid (£34 total) and the noise is gone, Jackpot!
However, I have now noticed that the steering is sticky to start and has a bit of restriction to turn, once moved it is smooth with no noise from the front.
Any ideas what could be causing the hestitation?

Probably need to purge the air from pipes, try going lock to lock a few times once oil is warm

Did yer get this solved?

Hi,
I followed the advice of freelance above and it does seem to help for a while. But in the morning or after work when it's been standing it needs doing again. Normally better by the end of a journey.
I wonder if air is getting into the system? You'd think that I'd also have fluid leaks then though.

Has the power steering fluid reservoir level dropped?

I've checked it over a few days, it doesn't drop. Still sticky at start getting better after a while.

I wonder if the pump was damaged by the restricted flow in the reservoir filter when i had the noise.
What would be the symptoms for a damaged PAS pump? and can these be serviced with a kit? Or need a new one? Any ideas gratefully received, thanks.

Some take them back on an exchange basis so someone must do something to repair them. There will be a bearing and seal eye would guess.

When you turn the wheel you should get a violent surge of power steering fluid instantly in the reservoir. If the auxiliary belt is slipping it will affect the power steering.

Hi, the stickiness to move the wheel is more clunky now so I've had another look, the track rod ends seemed to have lots of play so I've replaced them but after testing I've tracked the clunky feeling to the steering rack. While someone rocked the steering wheel left to right i felt around underneath and the rack ends were really clunky, like the bearings that hold the rack central in its body were worn out. I'm not sure of the inner workings but I'd say it's buggered. Two questions..1) are reconditioned racks of ebay £200 any good? And 2) can a rack be replaced on the driveway or will it need booking in to a garage? I'm pretty handy and have axle stands etc. but it may need a hydraulic lift. Thanks, folks

All sorted, had a reconditioned rack fitted from Western Power Steering WPS eBay site £198 exchange, a local garage fitted it for £180.
A local landrover specialist had quoted £1100 Plus labour for a new rack which they say they had never fitted one before.??
It's running smooth and quiet now, thanks for the thread input folks.

Thanks for letting us know the fix. Can you report back after a few thousands miles to confirm all is still ok. Thanks