intermittently heavy steering

[tigger]

A couple of months ago I noticed that the steering on my Bongo (2l petrol, 2001) had become intermittently 'lumpy' - ie feeling very heavy at times part-way between straight and full lock, on either side - like there was something resisting me steering.

So after putting up with it for a couple of weeks hoping it would go away (!) I took it to my local Bongo specialist (who is, BTW, excellent and very reasonable) and he replaced the (one of the?) universal joint(s) in the steering column (he put in a secondhand one). He showed me the old joint, which was very seized.

That sorted it totally, the steering was back to feeling exactly as it should, no probs at all until... ...driving back up through France last weekend the exact same stiffness suddenly returned. No problem on the lovely straight motorways, but a pain each time we pulled off. (BTW apart from this the Bongo performed faultlessly for the whole return trip to the Alps, four up with mountain bikes and gear aboard.) Strangely, when I drove off the ferry at Dover it seemed to have gone away again, but then when I drove it again a few days later some stiffness was back.

Anyway I'm going to get the boys at the garage (Target in Swansea - highly recommended) to have a look at it again, and I have plenty of faith in them, but beforehand I'm just wondering whether anyone on here has any learned input on this problem based on experience, knowledge, wisdom, female intuition etc. What I obviously want to avoid is doing something like replacing the rack, only to find that the problem is still there...

Thanks in advance
Dom

[haydn callow]

I assume you have checked the power steering fluid level??

[tigger]

Yes, PS fluid checked and is fine.

[teenmal]

Hi tigger, have the UJs been checked Again, as you probably know these vehicles have two, and the Second Hand joint that was fitted might just now be faulty, or has a dry spot.

[al & chris]

Sounds like universal joint probs we had. Sprayed with wd 40 then a bike chain oil. Does seem to work, though have to re apply occasionally .

[tigger]

Thanks guys, all sounds sensible. Are the two joints easy to get at then? Is it just a case of crawling under the front with a can of lube?

[teenmal]

Top joint under dash

Bottom joint under bonnet.

[lancyman]

I had this. Sprayed both joints with white lythium grease from Halfords. Had two goes but worked fine.

[tigger]

great - thanks teenmal and lancyman. I'll take a look...

[tigger]

So, for reference, I sprayed both joints with WD40 as suggested above, gave them a bit of a wipe and then sprayed them both with Motorcycle chain lube. 5 minute job. Wiggled the steering around a bit, then tested. Instant result.

Not sure if it was the top or bottom joint, but suspect the bottom one as it's exposed to the elements. No harm in lubing both anyway.

So many thanks all. If it gets stiff again I'll know what to do.
Dom