Power Steering Problem - Any Ideas?

[sdemmery]

Hi All

I noticed a few days ago that my power steering felt a little heavier, but wasn't sure so put it
down to "just my imagination". A day later I had a slight squeal from one of the belts, but only
very slight & only for about 2 mins from a cold start.

Yesterday, I was on a large roundabout with a slight right lock on, I came to exit the
Roundabout & it felt as though someone had switched the Power Steering off for about 0.5 of a sec, it was fine after this. Seemed like lazy power steering
Almost felt like a Jam, but didn’t require much forces to move the wheel. When parking, steering seems normal, maybe a bit heavier not sure
really, no belt squeals at all anymore. Checked the PS fluid level, which is at Max, crawled
underneath, no visible leaks from steering rack. In fact it looked very clean

The PS reservoir pipes go to a unit below it, I guess this is the PS Pump? one of the pipes has a
bit of oil on it, but it was pretty solid, not what I would call a leak, seems as though its been
like that for years.

Its typical, just started the summer camping trips & I have a problem. I’m due to go to Ilfracome
this weekend, so I’m obviously keen to try & fix it.

Anyone have any thoughts?

Cheers

Stuart

[francophile1947]

Sounds like it's just the belt slipping - they squeal more when cold.

[sdemmery]

Yeah, Im begining to think its a belt slipping, anyone have any clue as to where I need to start looking, or how to adjust etc? I see a black cover (driver side) at the front looks like it may contain the PS pump belt, am I close?

Cheers

[MAZABON]

you will be glad to know it's not just yours, mine is the same but no belt squeeling sound, it doesnt do it often but when it does i am generally just starting to move from a stationary position, but like yours it only lasts for about a second, then all is well again, i have just put it down to poor old bongo over 10 years old, it does not happen often enough for me to worry about it too much though.

just pretend it never happened and go on your trip anyway, touching as much wood as possible at every oppertunity, then all should be well !!!

[MAZABON]

if it does fail on your trip please dont blame me, atleast you will have forearms like popeye when you get back - take plenty of spinach with you, fit racing slicks and only drive when its raining.

[sdemmery]

Just thought I would post back to let you know that the problem is actually worse now. The PS is still working, but its much heavier than it should be. It is also now heavier when parking. No sqeals or whines.

I did another check for leaks & all the belts seem to be tensioned well. So Im at a loss. It may be a trip to Bell Hill for me I hate admitting defeat & tend to do as much work on the bongo as possible, but I think Im a little out of my depth with PS

[smartmonkey]

It could be either rack or pump, they both fail and give the symptoms you describe. I would be tempted to try a fluid change first just in case it improves. If you do you just go from lock to lock a dozen times to bleed it.

[sdemmery]

Thanks smartmonkey
sounds like a good idea, next stupid question...
Any idea where the bleed valve/nipple (no sniggering) is On the pump? the rack?

I think I may have to invest in one of those there bongo manuals Ian has in the club shop

[smartmonkey]

I don't expect there to be one. You just go from lock to lock and it will bleed back to the reservoir. Just keep topping it up.

Obviously check for a shiny or cracked belt and change it if it looks remotely dodgy.

[mikeonb4c]

Interesting thread - keep us posted on outcomes guys, could be real valuable for others in the future.

Best of luck getting it fixed.

Mike

[sdemmery]

Hi Everyone,

My PS Magicaly started working again for a few days, it was perfect, however the problem is now back in fact its just plain heavy at slow or fast speeds. I did hear another belt whine before it went again, so Im now back to looking at belts. Only trouble is Im not sure where Im looking Ive attached 2 pics below (hopefully) can someone point out which if either is the Power Steering pump. If its the one with the one with the belt cover, how the heck do I get that cover off, looks really awkward to get any tools in there. Any advice on adjusting the PS belt would be much appreciated. I would really like get the car over to Tom at Bell Hill, but I cant get the time off work at the moment to get it over there so Im trying to sort it myself.

Thanks in advance

Passenger Side Pic


Driver Side Pic

[Vanmanerik]

I think, haven't had to do a belt change yet, that you lift the passenger seat, slacken off the alternator to remove the old belts, fit new belts and tighten up by adjusting the alternator. Two belts are required, they also drive the water pump and the air con pump as well as the power steering pump.

The item you have marked in the photo is the cover to the camshaft timing belt.

[sdemmery]

Thanks Vanmanerik.

I thought it could be a slack belt but all the belts seem pretty tight. I slackend the altenator & tighted further, but still no better

Question is what next? I haven't as yet replaced the fluid, but it looks clean & is just at the max line. Can bad fluid cause lack of PS? I guess it could lose its hydraulic property

Failing this i suppose im looking at the PS pump or rack. Im hedging ,my bet on the pump but this is based on a pure guess with no real knowledge Seems that PS problems are rare as there dosen't seem to be too much on the forum regarding it. I will ensure I post back here when I solve it in the hope that someone else might find it usefull.

[francophile1947]

Just tightening a belt will not fix it. If it has been slipping, the belt will be "glazed" and will probably continue to slip - worth changing the belts before doing anything more expensive.

[sdemmery]

That Make sense franco,
They do seem a bit "glazed" but interestingly I went to order replacements & they are shown as toothed. I know they don't actually engage in a toothed drive of any sort but go through pulleys, but the belts I have on at the moment are not toothed. Have they worn away? or are some belts toothless. The ones I was looking at purchasing are here http://www.bongobits.com/Main.asp?PageN ... Product=88