Halfords is only a couple of miles away so I got me some * Wynn's Stop Leak * and some PS fluid and topped up on their forecourt. Turned the steering a couple of times from lock to lock and then set off back home. No noise now, and the PS is light as a feather as usual. (Hopefully no damage to the pump then ?
) Will keep my eye on the level now, see how well the "Wynn's" performs or have to think about changing the seals.Moral of the story ?
Never drive ageing vehicles with Power Steering in anything but straight lines.
I would think that as the p.s.i is at it's highest at extreme locks, a weary seal just gave up. Could have happened at anytime.
Shortly previous to this, in the cold snap the battery gave up, and I'm running on a 50AH battery temporarily.
The night before we went to Torquay the Timing belt on the Astra Estate decided it would break. It nevers just rains does it ?
(How come they can build an F1 racing car that can withstand a 250mph crash, but cant manufacture a timing belt that is reliable at all ?)
) keep your eye on things where fluids are concerned.
. It's reasonably common for them to leak at the pinion seal, if you put some power steering leak stop in it may well sort the problem indefinately as discussed in this thread. I wouldn't worry too much, as I've already said mine's been leaking very slightly since I got it, I've done thousands of miles, uk & Europe without any issues. Don't forget these are old cars & things will wear out & leak, you've got to expect a degree of maintenance.