Steering Stiffens up in Cold Weather

[sawkins2005]

hi all, a newbie here, but need your advice on a steering problem.

My Car is a: Pug 406hdi, V reg Sep 99, 2ltr diesel.

My Problem:

During survier cold weather, steering has been very stiff for first mile or so. but during the day when engine is warmer the steering still stiffens up at times, suspect contaminated fluid now weather is warmer no problems?. A mechanic has told me, that the steering rack needs changing due to faulty non return valve!. And at £300 a throw this sounds expensive for a faulty non return valve!

So wizzez please help me out, as im sure some 1 out there may have had smilar problems.

P.s, did have a front near side road spring break in november. ( Thank Christ For Scrap Yards)

Sawkins2005

[DaiRees]

Hiya mate and welcome to the club

Do a search using the box up the top right corner, there's loads of info on here about steering issues and front springs, strut top bearings seem to be the favorite culprit at the moment, we seem to have had a spate of them recently .

[mjb]

if it's weather-related i'd suspect the fluid's picked up water

[sawkins2005]

thankyou both, but im afraid that the search does not seem to help me, so im hoping all members will help me out.

many thanks for your comments, much appreciated

sawkins2005