Power Steering

[Richo]

Hi guys

Last week the power steering on my car decided to stop working, steering became quite heavy, so I went ahead and checked the usual suspects.....

- speedo is working

- belts are fine

- fluid is fine

So I thought "the pump", went to my local wreckers and got myself a new pump, installed that and to my surprise it didnt fix the problem, went back to the wreckers to ask for another pump, got that, went back home installed it.....nothing AGAIN .

So now Im thinking what are the chances that both these pumps were dead? I believe the problem may just be somewhere else, but dont know where to start looking now.

So if you guys can give me any ideas, that would be sweet, this is doing my head in

Cheers

Ric

Edited September 30, 2007 by Richo

[Richo]

bump

[adam-__-]

Sounds like this could be related to the hicas? Try searching 'hicas' and you'll find that others will have some sort of power steering problems and probably a solution too.

[Richo]

i tried doing a search before posting but nothing really that can help me there.

[moonus]

are you sure its not the power steering belt. That could have ripped off totally

[Godzilla32]

Check the PRV (pressure relief valve) if they are jammed it will cause heavy/no power assist.

[silman]

Try searching under hicas problems, but if that fails here's my suggestion for the pump itself.

open up the pump and check the magnets inside, if you see any sign of wear inside the pump, then there is contamination somewhere in the entire power steering pump system. By changing pumps only you're actually causing the shavings to cycle through each pump you put on the car.

You could have shavings, cycling from the steering rack, through to the pump. Whilst you are there, your pump may have some type of pressure switch setup, and it may not be working properly. From what I remember when i checked mine on an R33 and R34 pump, there was a spring and ball bearing type setup that you can get to, to see if that area is releasing freely.

[Godzilla32]

The spring and ball bearing is the pressure relief valve. Its normally in the fitting just before where the high pressure hose joins onto the pump

[BH_SLO32]

Check the fuses under the dash. Took me ages to diagnose a similar problem on my brother-in-laws 32 and eventually found that a fuse was blown.

Let us know how you go.

Cheers,

Ben

[Richo]

are you sure its not the power steering belt. That could have ripped off totally

Dude.. I have changed the PS pump twice, I would have found the belt to be damaged or ripped dont you think?

[Richo]

Thanks guys, ill have a look at the PRV (if I can find the thing) and the fuses and see how i go

FYI.. I looked under the car and the right hand side steering rack boot was completely destroyed, I had noticed that it was split a few months back, but now its totally open and perhaps letting alot of crap in to the system. Any way of flushing and cleaning the PS system , or is it a matter of getting a whole new rack???

Cheers

Ric

[Richo]

Ok, opened one of the pumps up, no signs of wear, not sure what to look for really, so here are a few pics.

Edited October 1, 2007 by Richo

[Richo]

I found a blown fuse on the dash board, at least we are getting somewhere here.

Now does anybody know what this fuse controls? I just dont have access to a new fuse now, being public holiday and all.

Cross fingers thats the answer though.

Cheers

Ric

[BH_SLO32]

I found a blown fuse on the dash board, at least we are getting somewhere here.

Now does anybody know what this fuse controls? I just dont have access to a new fuse now, being public holiday and all.

Cross fingers thats the answer though.

Cheers

Ric

From memory it was a 15 or 20A fuse that blew in my bro-in-laws car. Looks very familiar. I noticed you have a 10A and 20A in the spare fuse holders. You may be able to try a 10A if it is a 15A that blew. At least to get you going until you get the correct one.

Cheers

[Richo]

edit:

Ben mate, you were right on the money, the blown fuse on the loction shown on the pics is a 10A....now Im not sure whether this fuse is purely for the PS but I put on one of the spare 10A's on there and voila!! PS is sweet now!

Hope this helps any one in the future, check your fuses and go from there.

Thanks again Ben, and to the others for the suggestions

Ric

Edited October 1, 2007 by Richo