help i have a steering problem with my freelander

Hi, my TD4 03 Freelander is costing me a fortune at the moment and i am starting to lose faith that i will ever get in front on the repair side.:doh:

the steering will not work unless i am touching the accelerator, it is monumentally heavy but as soon as i give it some gas it lightens up immediately and drives fine. This is obviously only a real problem when parallel parking or getting out of a tight space. I had the fluid replaced yesterday to no avail, but the mechanic is non committal about it being the pump!!! please help as i cant let the wife drive the car just in case.

You sure it's not just the drive belt not slipping?

Get someone you know, and trust, to sit in the car with it running, you go look under the bonnet at the power steering drive belt and have him/her turn the steering wheel while you watch the belt .. does it stop/slow down/slip? Have them blip the throttle while turning the steering and see if there's a difference.

Thanks for the advice ill have a look tonight and report back tommorow!

turns out it was the pump after all, more money here we go again!!!

I was going to advise to check the power sterring fluid level. top it up to max till you get it sorted and keep an eye on it. I managed to get a brand new pump for 35 quid on ebay for an l series diesel not long back. an hours work and all was fine again. its not the hardest of jobs to do.