Member Since: 27 Nov 2009
Location: Vale of Glamorgan
Posts: 112
Intermittent heavy steering
bit of an odd one this- steering heavier at low speeds- but seems intermittent and can catch me unawares when going round a corner with weight suddenly going heavier..
took it to dealer- checked it out- said power steering pump needed replacing- warranty direct won't replace as engineer inspected it and agreed steering heavy when stationary and at low speed but ok at road speeds so not "failed" yet!! No obvious noises of slipping belts etc..
any ideas?
29th Mar 2010 11:27 am
Somerset Jem
Member Since: 07 Jul 2011
Location: Somerset
Posts: 435
Power steering problems
Hi PaulC, I know your post about steering issues was ages ago but wondered what the outcome was as I have a similar problem. The steering seems heavy when cornering reasonably tight bends, sometimes more in one direction than the other. The steering also doesn't seem to centre up sometimes after the corner and I have to haul the steering wheel to prevent over steering and hitting the kerb or drifting over the white line. The car is relatively new to me so initially I though it was my imagination and a characteristic of a V. heavy car. Sometimes it seems fine though? I'd welcome your thoughts or anyone elses. PAS pump? Steering rack?
15th Nov 2011 11:06 pm
Q86ARR
Member Since: 23 Feb 2010
Location: Jersey
Posts: 378
Possibly a servotronic valve issue, This valve is at the RH end of the rack.
These caused heavy steering on Range Rovers.
LTB00158 - Covers RR Sports:
This Technical Bulletin is to advise Authorized Repairers that the servotronic steering valve is now available as a serviceable part. It is no longer necessary to replace the complete steering gear assembly for any of the symptoms outlined below.
Power steering feels heavier than normal through its operating range.
Power steering feels too light at speed.
Power steering feels too heavy at standstill and low speed.
In the event of servotronic steering valve concerns, it is possible that the following Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) C112201, C11231C may be stored.
15th Nov 2011 11:20 pm
Somerset Jem
Member Since: 07 Jul 2011
Location: Somerset
Posts: 435
Q86ARR wrote:
Possibly a servotronic valve issue
Haven't heard of that before! Would this give variable PAS or would it be consistently heavy? Pleased to see it is serviceable though if it does turn out to be that.
15th Nov 2011 11:33 pm
caverD3
Member Since: 03 Jul 2006
Location: Oberon, NSW
Posts: 6922
@#%*ing warranty direct.
If it is not working in all conditions it has failed.
Didn't know about the valve obviously. I bet they will say the same about the valve if that is the cause.“There are only three sports: bullfighting, motor racing, and mountaineering; all the rest are merely gamesâ€
Ernest Hemmingway
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16th Nov 2011 1:40 am
Q86ARR
Member Since: 23 Feb 2010
Location: Jersey
Posts: 378
Having changed a steering rack yesterday, it turns out that Discos don't have them!
Member Since: 14 Oct 2011
Location: Essex
Posts: 14
Had the same 3x in last 12 months, all after crashed into by last year by a dental nurse who was late for work. yeah still bitter Noticed when faint whistling noise when steering slow speed then got got really bad/dangerous.
Anyway the stealership kept on replacing the O rings but land rover assistance advised them to replace ? steering rack. no doubt stealership (Stratstone) had their reasons to keep on replacing the same part!
Has anyone checked for power steering fluid leak under front of vehicle?
18th Nov 2011 12:32 am
Somerset Jem
Member Since: 07 Jul 2011
Location: Somerset
Posts: 435
Hi GDP, what were the O rings on that they kept replacing? What did they charge to replace the steering rack? Fluid level is on max so I don't think it's leakage of fluid from anywhere.
19th Nov 2011 2:34 pm
GDP
Member Since: 14 Oct 2011
Location: Essex
Posts: 14
Sorry for the delay; daughter had 11 plus exams;
O rings: cant tell what ones were changed as vague on workshop "report";
Steering rack: they didnt do it even though under warranty
Fluid leak: I had a def puddle under the car each trip within secs of stopping; been OK since then;
Hope you get it sorted as was quite scary trying to steer the beast;
21st Nov 2011 12:59 pm
Somerset Jem
Member Since: 07 Jul 2011
Location: Somerset
Posts: 435
Hope the exam went well GDP! What did they replace to solve the issue, the power steering pump? No leaks from mine bit definitely heavy on the steering at times. I can live with it at the moment, but worried that if it is the pump and it fails completely I won't be able to steer the heavy lump at all! I jacked the front up and tried the steering without the engine running and it seemed pretty free and smooth, does this point more precisely at the power steering pump? Any advice welcome on this.
21st Nov 2011 10:18 pm
GDP
Member Since: 14 Oct 2011
Location: Essex
Posts: 14
Hi
Wish I could help more but all I have is empathy.
The only thing they did to mine was to rePlace the same o rings ( 1st after collision, 2nd don't what happened, 3rd as they 2nd set were seated well). Been ok since. Sounds like yours might be more problematic. Hope it all gets sorted though.
24th Nov 2011 10:48 am
Somerset Jem
Member Since: 07 Jul 2011
Location: Somerset
Posts: 435
Thanks GDP, I'll post the outcome when there is one! Woody32 is kindly taking it for a test drive for me on Saturday so I'll see what he thinks.
24th Nov 2011 9:51 pm
Somerset Jem
Member Since: 07 Jul 2011
Location: Somerset
Posts: 435
Met up with Woody this morning thinking he was just going to take my car for a test drive. Anyway, an hour and a half later he had taken out the steering column, freed up the sized UJ and put it all back together for me. I had the arduous task of holding the steering wheel in the same position!! What an absolute star, a credit to this forum!
26th Nov 2011 8:55 pm
woody32 Site Sponsor
Member Since: 11 Mar 2009
Location: Somerset
Posts: 3551
Thanks Jem it was a pleasure to meet you ,
Its always the same when your strapped for time everything is bound to be seized solid
I left you holding the steering wheel so you didnt see me beating the s t out your car trying to get it apart
Anytime fella Wanted D4s non runners pm for competitive price.
IID Pro MV License - D3/4 RRS - Enabling, Updates,Transmission flushing.
Mobile or workshop,PM for details.
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Noticed when faint whistling noise when steering slow speed then got got really bad/dangerous.
,
t out your car trying to get it apart 
