Power steering question

[Brummy]

*have searched, but 'couldnt see' anything the same as...*
my car doesnt get used 'every' day... (due to having the works van , AND the mk4).. when its been sat for a day or so, for the first few minutes, the steering is quite heavy and can also feel 'notchy', as is your feeling the rack running across teeth , etc..
cant seee that the fluid has ever been changed in any of the p/work I have with the car.. its done approx 92K....
anything I should start worrying about , or should I just consider changing the fluid?

 

[CraigW]

Maybe the powersteering pump starting to go. mine was the same as u have described for a while, then it to screech cos the internals were F*****. Then 1day i came home from work and went bak ot to my car an hour later n there was power steering fluid all over the road under my car :s had to get a new pump, got a re-conditioned one n it was like brand new!!

 

[adamgardiner]

I had this sort of problem on an old car and it was the fluid was contaminated with something and had gone a milky colour and was really thick consistancy, try changing the fluid and go from there (also consider blowing the pipes out with an air line(be careful wher the other end is pointed tho )

 

[red1.4]

stop being a tit and build your muscle's you need it now your a .................... hmmmmmmmmmm olden

 

[DPJ]

John, I've run some cars to mega mileages without changing power steering fluid.

Strangely, I've got a similar problem with my daughter's saxo at the moment. PS is **** for the first minute or so, but fine after.

I've 'bled' it a couple of times by going lock to lock a few times and this has made the problem go away for weeks on end - so I suspect air is getting in somewhere - failing seals maybe. Have you tried working yours lock to lock?

 

[Brummy]

No, but i WILL DO, fella.. thanks for the idea