Power Steering Failing

Shocks, springs, anything to do with the running gear

Moderator: Moderators

Sage103
1.6 8v
Posts: 19
Joined: Wed Nov 01, 2017 5:47 pm

Power Steering Failing

Post by Sage103 »

Looking for advice/help. My 110hdi steering power assistance became a bit intermittent. Wasn't losing fluid so I decided to change the pump and found a used one from an 806 which fitted perfectly. However this has not cured the fault so I'm presuming to problem lies in the rack and once the snow goes I'll check the hydraulic connections to the rack but given that there 's no loss of fluid they should be ok - unless it is possible for air to get in without fluid escaping?

And then - replacement rack? :(
frog
2.0 Turbo
Posts: 378
Joined: Sun Aug 24, 2014 12:18 pm
Location: Netherlands

Re: Power Steering Failing

Post by frog »

Could it be the steering wheel angle sensor? I think that is inside the COM2000 unit (just behind the steering wheel).
Current "fleet":
2003 406 Estate 2.0HDi 110 - 7 seater - just hit 690.000 kms :cheesy:
2001 Citroen Saxo 1.6i 8v 100

Previously owned:
2000 406 Sedan 2.0 HDi 90
2000 406 Coupé 2.0i 16v 138 - Riviera Blue

PP2000 user, can help with faults / diagnostics in the Netherlands.
User avatar
steve_earwig
Moderator
Posts: 19798
Joined: Thu Oct 04, 2007 6:09 pm
Location: Jastrebarsko, Croatia http://www.jastrebarsko.hr/lokacija/

Re: Power Steering Failing

Post by steve_earwig »

Some of the high trim levels have variable rate power steering, maybe if yours has it that could be up the creek. Also a frozen ball joint could also make the steering heavy.
Unskilled meddling sin©e 2007

The submitted form was invalid. Try submitting again.
PeterN
3.0 24v
Posts: 1673
Joined: Sun Mar 04, 2012 6:04 pm
Location: Charmouth, Dorset

Re: Power Steering Failing

Post by PeterN »

I have a spare rack from a 2001 Hdi estate - if you are anywhere near the west country.

Peter
Sage103
1.6 8v
Posts: 19
Joined: Wed Nov 01, 2017 5:47 pm

Re: Power Steering Failing

Post by Sage103 »

How can I determine if my car has the variable power steering? It's a 2000 110 Executive estate.
User avatar
steve_earwig
Moderator
Posts: 19798
Joined: Thu Oct 04, 2007 6:09 pm
Location: Jastrebarsko, Croatia http://www.jastrebarsko.hr/lokacija/

Re: Power Steering Failing

Post by steve_earwig »

Tricky. An executive could have it, I could have told you once but PSA decided that it was better if we didn't know :(
Unskilled meddling sin©e 2007

The submitted form was invalid. Try submitting again.
User avatar
Doggy
Mod with a 2.2 HDi, De-Fapped!
Posts: 10710
Joined: Mon Oct 13, 2008 11:49 pm
Location: Northants

Re: Power Steering Failing

Post by Doggy »

I think it's very unlikely - we've had three 2.2 HDi executives, none have had variable rate power steering.

The electrical diagrams on this site imply you'd have an electically driven rack, (which fairly should be easy to spot).https://www.petrila.net/repair/index.htm

Look under English/406/70 Driver Aids/Power Steering
2002 HDi 2.2 Exec Estate, (2008-12) (wonderful)
2003 HDi 2.2 6-speed Exec Estate (2012-19) (also a gem)
2009 Citroen C5 2.0 HDi VTR+ Estate (godawful heap)
2008 BMW E91 330i touring (great fun - murdered by a reversing SUV)
2007 BMW E91 325i touring (slower smoother quieter)
Sage103
1.6 8v
Posts: 19
Joined: Wed Nov 01, 2017 5:47 pm

Re: Power Steering Failing

Post by Sage103 »

Thanks for all the suggestions and help. Not sure where I go from here but I do have plenty of time right now to think about it! :lol:
User avatar
Doggy
Mod with a 2.2 HDi, De-Fapped!
Posts: 10710
Joined: Mon Oct 13, 2008 11:49 pm
Location: Northants

Re: Power Steering Failing

Post by Doggy »

If it were mine, I would jack it up / get it on stands so both front wheels are off the ground and operate the steering from lock to lock with the engine off - this should reveal any stiffness or noise from the steering, joints, strut top bearings etc.
Maybe get someone to twiddle the wheel while you listen and observe under the bonnet & from underneath the car.
2002 HDi 2.2 Exec Estate, (2008-12) (wonderful)
2003 HDi 2.2 6-speed Exec Estate (2012-19) (also a gem)
2009 Citroen C5 2.0 HDi VTR+ Estate (godawful heap)
2008 BMW E91 330i touring (great fun - murdered by a reversing SUV)
2007 BMW E91 325i touring (slower smoother quieter)
GingerMagic
3.0 24v
Posts: 3569
Joined: Fri Apr 06, 2012 9:02 pm
Location: Bournemouth

Re: Power Steering Failing

Post by GingerMagic »

The chances are you haven't got variable power steering, however there is a chance your strut top bearings are worn - this can make the steering heavy at low speeds but fine when traveling along..
2003 2.2hdi estate - mine
1998 Volvo 940 auto estate - also mine
2019 Citroen C3 something - the wife's
PP2000 user, can help with faults / diagnostics in the Bournemouth area.
PeterN
3.0 24v
Posts: 1673
Joined: Sun Mar 04, 2012 6:04 pm
Location: Charmouth, Dorset

Re: Power Steering Failing

Post by PeterN »

Have you tried lubricating the universal joint at the bottom of the column?

Peter
Sage103
1.6 8v
Posts: 19
Joined: Wed Nov 01, 2017 5:47 pm

Re: Power Steering Failing

Post by Sage103 »

No, I haven't but I did see that suggested elsewhere earlier today. Will give it a go tomorrow.
Sage103
1.6 8v
Posts: 19
Joined: Wed Nov 01, 2017 5:47 pm

Re: Power Steering Failing

Post by Sage103 »

And I have had the car up off both front wheels while bleeding the power steering - first without the engine running, and then wth it idling, and the steering was smooth from stop to stop. Today I noticed that the steering is heavy immediately after startup then it lightens but not consistently. It goes from feeling fine on a turn but then stiffens on return and is reluctant to self centre.

It feels as though it must have variable steering but the controlling sensor is faulty.

I don't want to go to the expense of a new rack, or another pump, until I have discounted all other possible causes.
User avatar
Doggy
Mod with a 2.2 HDi, De-Fapped!
Posts: 10710
Joined: Mon Oct 13, 2008 11:49 pm
Location: Northants

Re: Power Steering Failing

Post by Doggy »

Possibly try a second hand pump from a scrapyard - fairly easy/quick/cheap and should eliminate at least one possibility?
2002 HDi 2.2 Exec Estate, (2008-12) (wonderful)
2003 HDi 2.2 6-speed Exec Estate (2012-19) (also a gem)
2009 Citroen C5 2.0 HDi VTR+ Estate (godawful heap)
2008 BMW E91 330i touring (great fun - murdered by a reversing SUV)
2007 BMW E91 325i touring (slower smoother quieter)
User avatar
steve_earwig
Moderator
Posts: 19798
Joined: Thu Oct 04, 2007 6:09 pm
Location: Jastrebarsko, Croatia http://www.jastrebarsko.hr/lokacija/

Re: Power Steering Failing

Post by steve_earwig »

I'm afraid he already tried that (first post). We did have a thread a long time back (JamesXCVBNM?) where the variable ps had gone up the swannie. I'll have a search...
Unskilled meddling sin©e 2007

The submitted form was invalid. Try submitting again.
Post Reply