power steering

[Scanny]

is it normal for the steering to be very heavy at low revs with a VR4 or do i have a problem? there is a minor leak so could that be causing low pressure within the system or possibly PAS pump on its way out?

[Davezj]

Just trying a little more diagnosis.

How heavy is heavy?
Can you turn the steering wheel round with the car stationary?
Does the power steering feel jerky when the car is stationary?
Is the power steering fluid topped up to the orrect level?
Is the power steering belt slipping when you turn the steering wheel with car stationary?

You should be able to start the car put drivers window down and from the outside of the car with one hand rotate the steering wheel while the other hand is on the tyre.
It sound like an odd thing to do but it puts you in a position where you have very little grip on the steering wheel and not much mechanical advantage to turn the steering wheel, if you can still turn the steering wheel easily when in this position then I would say the steering is ok.

Do you see what I am try to get at.

[Scanny]

its heavy as in there is no PAS turning the wheel. i have to rev the car to make it work and thats with the level topped up. its fine for normal driving but its a real pain when parking etc. the other galants didnt have this problem but there are differences with the VR4 so i dont know if this is meant to happen or not. apparently not!

[Davezj]

No it is not meat to be like that, it is supposed to be light at slow speeds and get a bit heavier at higher speeds. To stop the car going floaty at higher speeds.

[elnevio]

What revs is it idling at? If it's a little on the low side, say 500rpm, then it's around the realms of the PAS not working very well.

[Scanny]

she sits sweet at 600RPM but i need to rev it to over 1000 to get the PAS working which is fine for pulling out of a parking space but not so good for tight places. the turning circle on a VR4 is not really suitable for no PAS with the 20 point turns that are sometimes required

[elnevio]

Yeah, that doesn't sound right!

Maybe the pump is tired? A small leak in the system wouldn't affect the pressure if the fluid level is being kept topped up.

[wintertidenz]

Check the vacuum hoses. Mine was like this before I found that a vacuum line was missing.

[Scanny]

i topped it up again this morning to above the max level and it was a bit better but this still needs fixing.

i am getting a set of power steering pipes this weekend Daniel so hopefully that pipe is included