Steering issues

[aaron4699]

Hi all, I recently had problem with a ps pump. Heavy steering especially when parking and was making a clicking noise when under pressure. I had a new pump fitted and all was perfect. I took her for a drive yesterday and the problem has returned minus the clicking. Just heavy steering as before. Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance

[lancerevo3]

Has the belt enough tension on it ?

[swinks]

Front lower straight arm balljoit is dying.

[Davezj]

i would be checking belt tension and the fluid level.

but dont discount other issues once you check the obvious.

[aaron4699]

Belt and fluid levels are both fine.
Ball joint?

[menno3x8g]

Don't forget:
Flushing of the system is needed if your pump has gone.
Else the debris is damaging your next pump.

[Davezj]

Belt and fluid levels are both fine.
Ball joint?

when the fluid was filled did it go through the lock to lock bleed to get all the air out of the system?
just a thought.

[aaron4699]

Yeah was all flushed and no air in system...because there is no clicking/clunking as before I'm thinking it's something other than the pump. Could it be the rack? Pressure loss? Fluid level is good though

[Davezj]

now you have confirmed that the obviouse has been check/verified you have to look at the next possibilities and as swinks mention above the ball joints on suspension arms can get stiff when the dust seals fail and water gets into them and they start rusting up. but i am not sure why the would have got better when the pump was changed and now they have got worse again.

there is the posibility of rack but then wh would that get worse the better then worse.

possible tyre pressure issue if you have a slow puncture and recently pumped the tyres up.

if you drive the car in the wet and the belt got wet then it could have been slipping, but then in dry condition the steering should be fine again.

these are just some possibilities there will be more.

[swinks]

Dave Davezj

Heavy steering especially when parking and was making a clicking noise when under pressure.
it's a tell-tell sign of failing lower arm.
Similar symptoms can give also failed track rod ends or steering rack ends. Anyway, I'll check all ball-joints in front.

[aaron4699]

No tyre pressure issues? No pressure issues no belt issues no fluid issues everything is clean. What the ball joint problem? It's in the steering setup... Rack or pump, vacuum?

[Nick Mann]

The clicking noise could well be symptomatic of the lower straight arm ball joint failing. This can fail catastrophically leaving you with a front wheel that can point in any direction it wants to including through the front wing.
I would follow advice above and get it checked asap.

[Davezj]

7405574056

this should show you what you are looking for with regard to the lower suspension arm.

[aaron4699]

Ok thanks for your help I'll get it checked out