Stiff power steering.

A friend has just bought a 2003 1.8 Freelander which he is very pleased with, except that the power steering appears to be rather stiff near to full lock.

The fluid was a bit low but he has topped it up and the problem is still there. Apparently the engine idle also drops a bit at the point that the steering gets stiff, as though the pump is under quite a bit of load.

Any ideas?

Ah reckon it's fecked... burn it and buy a diesel

Nice to see you back in the Freelander forum buster.

Is the auxiliary belt slipping or loose?
Is auxiliary belt clean or covered in oil? (only check when the engine is not running.

Ah tripped Hippo ....honest

VCU stiff?

roccotune said:

VCU stiff?

Click to expand...

What's the VCU?

Does it jerk a bit before getting stiff (that sounds ambiguous!!!)? Could be air in system so you are losing PAS. Turning from lock to lock can purge it but dont keep it on full lock for more than a few seconds - watch the level and if it drops it may be air so top up again. If you have a slow leak (as I have) you may need to repeat this from time to time. I can"t fathom out where mine is leaking from otherwise I would fix it!

GDM said:

What's the VCU?

Click to expand...

Viscous coupling unit. It sits between the 2 props shafts which allow drive to the rear wheels. The vcu stiffens as the difference in speed between the 2 prop shafts increases.

Does the pas fault happen when yer stationary with just the engine running?

Thanks for the replies so far.

As it's not my car I will have to get Keith to bring it round some when so I can have a proper look and try some of your suggestions.

He's only just bought it and as the fluid was low, it may well have a slow leak and have air in the system.

I would be tempted if the fluid is low to empty it and refill with fresh

I was speaking to Keith again today and he said that if he is on a hill on full lock the car will not roll but if he comes slightly off full lock it will then roll. Apparently it does it on full lock left and right and will hold itself on quite a steep gradient.

Seems to me like the pump is maybe on the way out. Could be the bearing in pump itself. This could be intermittent but i would flush the fluid, change the belt if that don't work new pump it is.

GDM said:

I was speaking to Keith again today and he said that if he is on a hill on full lock the car will not roll but if he comes slightly off full lock it will then roll. Apparently it does it on full lock left and right and will hold itself on quite a steep gradient.

Click to expand...

Seem VCU is likely then as stiff steering alone would not hold the car on a hill

Try the "one wheel up test" to see what the vcu's like.