Heavy Power Steering at idle

Power steering heavy at idle on my 2002 freeby td4. Levels fine, Belt fine, steering fine even with the slightest touch of throttle but not at idle. Any ideas? it is under warrenty but they are a bit dum at the garage and dont trust them to diag the problem correctly. Need to go in with some ideas as not to let them try it on, you know how some garages are? Many thank if you can help

check the fluid level and quality

Similar to mine. Used to ber very heavy at idle but only when hot. Had PAS pump changed - whilst much improved still deterioates a bit when hot.

Sounds the same to what i have. Ok when engine cold as revs are slightly hire at idle, enough to work steering. when engine hot the revs are lower at idle and steering heavy. The pump change 95% fixed your trouble then? How much was it? if you dont mind me asking.

About 90% and a 100% better - i'm going to get the fluid flushed again to rule that out. I wonder why it got so bad in the first place however.

I got one from ebay - from a LR dealer, brand new £70 quid! You can get an exchange unit for about £150 I think from any LR dealer - give em a call.

I got my mechanic to do mine - charged me £80 quid - so £150 total which aint bad, probably £500 at a main stealer.

It a pain to get at and a messy job which is why I got him to do it - also need to support weight of engine whilst removing hydra mount and the alternators just below - so watch fluid don't get onto it.

Was the pump, all done on warrenty, thanks.........

Jasey Boy said:

Was the pump, all done on warrenty, thanks.........

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What age is yours? This seems to becoming quite a common problem and I wonder that the cause is. There is a problem on the FL 2 where a filter in the PAS reservoir is casuing them to repeately fail - I wonder if there is something similar on the FL1.

Once the pump was changed on mine it was initially a lot better but seems to be degrading again when hot but not as bad a before. Not sure if this is "normal" but the steering is feeling a bit "springy".

bonnybrook said:

What age is yours? This seems to becoming quite a common problem and I wonder that the cause is. There is a problem on the FL 2 where a filter in the PAS reservoir is casuing them to repeately fail - I wonder if there is something similar on the FL1.

Once the pump was changed on mine it was initially a lot better but seems to be degrading again when hot but not as bad a before. Not sure if this is "normal" but the steering is feeling a bit "springy".

Click to expand...

Mines a 52 plate, done 54000 miles