Urgent! Power steering problems

Hi all,

Posted before but having real worries with the power steering and going back to dealer with it but need some help first. Basically over a journey of half an hour or so the power steering is becoming weaker. Set off this morning and tried turning wheel whilst stationary - turns really easily. By the time I get to work it's really really heavy to park.

I'm pretty sure this is not normal but not sure where the problem lies. Tyres are fine as it fluid levels. Could it be the pump or even the hydraulics in the rack. It going to call the dealer but don't want to get fobbed off.

Any help much appreciated!

it could also be water in the hydraulics. change the fluid completely if you can. If yu get water into the fluid - it will boil over a period of time and is therefore a lot more compressable than the hydraulic fluid.

OK I'll check that out, might explain why it "fades" over a journey. I would have thought a failing pump would be bad all the time. Hope its not the rack.

Just an idea - As I understand this it is controlled by a pully on the pump - could be it as belt loosens up as it gets warm (ie during the journey) - does this sound like nonsense or a possibility?

Hi again - i've spoken too a couple of people and have several theories.

Power steering ok at start, performance degrades after a journey. I also noticed a very slight squeel this morning, bit like rubbing an elastic band which makes me think it a worn or loose belt warming up.

Possible also a failing pump giving resistance?

The guy at the Landrover Centre suggested it was the VC, but he said this gave the impression of power steering failure when on full lock. I'm not convinced as it is ok when I start off, happens with just a slight turn of the wheel. He said the steering system was pretty much bullet proof and they had never seen a fault on it.

Any ideas welcome guys!

Hi again - i've spoken too a couple of people and have several theories.

Power steering ok at start, performance degrades after a journey. I also noticed a very slight squeel this morning, bit like rubbing an elastic band which makes me think it a worn or loose belt warming up.

Possible also a failing pump giving resistance?

The guy at the Landrover Centre suggested it was the VC, but he said this gave the impression of power steering failure when on full lock. I'm not convinced as it is ok when I start off, happens with just a slight turn of the wheel. He said the steering system was pretty much bullet proof and they had never seen a fault on it.

Any ideas welcome guys!

There's an echo in here today - have you done what Mr Mad Hat Man suggested yet - change the fluid?

Sorry - not sure why it's double posted.

Not yet - not sure how water can get into a sealed system?

I hadn't noticed the slight squeal when I first posted, I'm suspecting the belt at the moment. The LR Indepant said nothing much goes wrong with pump or rack. This is a cheap option, will drain fluid also as thats cheap also before I start replacing pump or rack.