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'pulsing' power steering
Posted: Mon May 04, 2015 7:19 pm
by vicksplace
Hi,
Wondered if anyone had any advice. When steering long turns (really noticeable on roundabouts etc) my bongo's steering sort of 'pulses'. I can also make it happen when stationary. I wonder if it could be a leaky power steering pump or something.
Does anyone have any ideas?
Thanks in advance!
Vicky
Re: 'pulsing' power steering
Posted: Mon May 04, 2015 7:23 pm
by Bob
Could well be low fluid, maybe a leak, but first off check the level.

Re: 'pulsing' power steering
Posted: Mon May 04, 2015 7:35 pm
by paramatt
More than likely the steering joint, at the bottom of the column- needs replacing.
Re: 'pulsing' power steering
Posted: Mon May 04, 2015 8:27 pm
by Northern Bongolow
it could be the universal joint as said above.
has yours got a drivers airbag.??.
this link may help.
http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... uj#p651229
Re: 'pulsing' power steering
Posted: Mon May 04, 2015 8:50 pm
by Cab-ova pete
I would have a look around the wheels/tyres aswell, sometimes the stupidest things

Re: 'pulsing' power steering
Posted: Wed May 06, 2015 12:38 pm
by vicksplace
Thanks guys!
Boyfriend has been looking and says fluid levels are all good and we can't see any sign of a leak.
Interestingly, it occurs even when stationary - does that still fit with the universal joint?
He wonders if it might be the pump or a slipping belt..
Maybe I need to take it to a bongo hospital :-/
cheers
Vicky
Re: 'pulsing' power steering
Posted: Wed May 06, 2015 12:42 pm
by silage
sounds like pump issue
Re: 'pulsing' power steering
Posted: Wed May 06, 2015 12:46 pm
by Muzorewa
It won't be a slipping belt, the steering pump on a Bongo is mechanically driven. Sounds like the UJ to me and the first thing to look at as it's the cheapest to fix. Start with the cheap stuff and gradually work your way to the properly expensive...

Re: 'pulsing' power steering
Posted: Wed May 06, 2015 12:51 pm
by teenmal
Hi Vicky, I would slap some grease on the steering shaft universal joints for starters , dry joints would cause this type problem whether the vehicle is in motion or stationary.
PS what vehicle do you have?.
Re: 'pulsing' power steering
Posted: Wed May 06, 2015 1:07 pm
by teenmal
Muzorewa wrote:It won't be a slipping belt,
the steering pump on a Bongo is mechanically driven. Sounds like the UJ to me and the first thing to look at as it's the cheapest to fix. Start with the cheap stuff and gradually work your way to the properly expensive...

You will probably find that the petrol version of these vehicles have a Belt driven PS pump.

Re: 'pulsing' power steering
Posted: Wed May 06, 2015 8:40 pm
by mikeWalsall
With a loose power steering belt, sometimes they squeal going from lock to lock ..
I spray the U/J with aerosol motor cycle chain lube .. goes on like thin penetrating oil .. sets to super sticky grease ..
It's also OK for rubber as most motor bike chains have hundreds of 'O' rings ..!!
Re: 'pulsing' power steering
Posted: Wed May 06, 2015 9:11 pm
by Northern Bongolow
the universal joint on the steering shaft is sealed with O rings on each bearing, to keep the crap out, unfortunately when they get worn the knocking of the joint lets water in, they are fitted with needle rollers, as they rust and seize this wears them to a point where the needle rollers can climb up on each other and jam up,(not what you want on the steering) you can pull the rubbers back to lubricate the internals but this actually makes the joint really loose. ive even tried to replace the cups and bearings and the cross joint but the joint is machine crimped to make you replace it, had it got the usual circlip things may have been different.
hope this helps.
this is a drive shaft but the principles are similar.
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=drawi ... B576%3B417
Re: 'pulsing' power steering
Posted: Wed May 06, 2015 10:04 pm
by Simon Jones
It the pulsing still can be felt when turning the steering wheel with the engine not running (hard work unless you jack the front up) then you can rule out the power steering.
Re: 'pulsing' power steering
Posted: Fri May 22, 2015 12:21 pm
by vicksplace
Thanks for all the suggestions. Could someone tell me the process for removing the lower universal joint from the steering as I'd like to check it properly for wear?
Thanks again.
Re: 'pulsing' power steering
Posted: Fri May 22, 2015 8:10 pm
by Northern Bongolow