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Good news! (But, heavy steering...)

S

Sandspider

New member
Hi all

Got my car back from a service and a good undersealing / sill coating treatment today, and while she was in there I also treated her to an early MOT. (No more fixing MOT problems in the snow in December!) She passed the MOT only needing 69p worth of rear fog light bulb. [:)] I'm so proud!

However, I noticed recently (and the MOT tester commented) that the steering has become noticeably heavier. It's not the steering tube coupler, and according to the tester who is a 944 fan, apparently a common cause of heavy steering in them is bending of the steering rack over time. This doesn't seem that likely to me as I suddenly noticed the steering get heavier while I was driving a few weeks ago - it wasn't years of gradual decline. (I didn't hit a bump or anything, I was just driving about 50 mph on a windy road). That said, it does seem harder to turn the wheel anti-clockwise than clockwise. I believe the power steering in a 944 is vacuum activated - can this fail? Or is there any other common cause of heavy steering? (The power steering pump does grind slightly on full lock, but it always has, presumably as it's working but can't turn any further). I think the tracking is a bit out and I will have this done, but the sudden change in steering difficulty suggests this can't be the whole problem...

Any thoughts? (I'm off to check the fuse for the power steering pump, but as I can hear it working I doubt this is the problem...)

Cheers for reading my essay!
 
There really is no need to check the vacuum system or fuse.......................

Possible causes are a worn pump or rack.
 
Bertelli's right ! The PAS system is very straight forward, engine driven pump that supplied high pressure hydraulic oil to the rack.

Either the Pump is leaking internally and the pressure is bleeding off or the rack internal seals need replacing, Have you checked the tension on the PAS belt and that the belt tensioner is still in place ?
 
Thanks for the suggestions.

Not sure about the tensioner, I'll have a look this weekend - but the belt is tight. There are no leaks from the PAS system according to the bloke who serviced it, who also owns and knows 944s. If the pump or rack was leaking internally, presumably the fluid would still have to go somewhere eventually visible?
 
Ah hah!

In that case, does anyone know of a way to tell if leaking internal pump seals are the problem, ideally without taking off or dismantling the pump...? (Long shot!)

Thanks.
 
If its that heavy and there is the right amount of clean fluid in it, there is something wrong, either pump or rack as Bertelli and Chris say.

Maybe see what a breaker would want for a pump or get a seal kit for it - I think Rob Wright did his a while ago.

Racks can be reconed, but I'd check the pump first.
 
I had a similar issue with my car where the steering was so heavy it was actually physically demanding to manoeuvre. I initially thought it was the rack but on further inspection there was no fluid coming out the High pressure side of the pump when turned by hand or the engine despite the reservoir being full of fluid. The unfortunate thing is I think it had run the rack low-ish on oil and it has not done it any favours either. Now replaces the whole system and its much better.
 
You can get pump recon kits for around £30 or I believe Alasdair (sulzeruk) may have been looking into supplying one. In any case it's a really easy job to do and you will be amazed at the difference it can make.
 
Also worked out that my universal joints on the steering column were a little sized so a little WD40 helped, usual sign of this is it will feel a little notchy when turning.
 
It's not the UJ, that was checked. And the steering isn't notchy, just heavy. Having said that, it's been better recently! And I've still not had a chance to get under it... Too much work, you'd think I had a job or something... <Mutter grumble...>
 
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