Steering heavy while parking

[Swifty75]

Hi All

My Stag has started to feel really heavy while parking. When moving the steering feels very light, but at parking speed it feels as though it has no power steering. It feels like the pump is trying to power the steering but can’t?
Very odd, and feels fine whilst on the road?
Has anyone had this before? I’ve checked the fluid and it looks fine?

Any help much appreciated

Neil

[Steve 63L]

Hi Neil.
When I experienced exactly the same symptoms, it was one of the steering rack seals failing. Might be worth checking inside your rack gaiters for power steering fluid?
Good luck
Steve.

[Swifty75]

Thanks for the reply.

Thought it might be a seal in the rack. Did you replace the rack or refurb the one you have? How hard is it to refurb the steering rack?

Any advice appreciated.
Neil

[Swifty75]

I have just undone the gaiters. The drivers side was fine, the passenger side had a small amount of fluid on the shaft. The gaiter was dry inside so it is not dripping. I would have thought of it was leaking it would force the fluid out when under pressure but it didn’t as I checked by turning lock to lock with the gaiters off.

I have just pumped the front tyres up as the were both low (around 20 psi) and this seemed to help.

Again all advice welcome

[Steve 63L]

Neil.
My rack was one of the few things that didn't get replaced or overhauled when I completely rebuilt my car. In this instance, I decided to buy another complete rack.
I was getting mixed messages about using seal kits.
Steve.

[richardthestag]

Neil.
My rack was one of the few things that didn't get replaced or overhauled when I completely rebuilt my car. In this instance, I decided to buy another complete rack.
I was getting mixed messages about using seal kits.
Steve.

seal kits from a reputable source are generally fine, however if the face that the seal lip acts against is anything less than perfect then it will soon fail

[mallardstag]

It may be obvious but have you checked the belt tension and that it's not slipping at higher loads?

[garyf]

Would wider tyres make the steering feel stiffer?

[flying farmer]

Would wider tyres make the steering feel stiffer?

It certainly does on my Toledo! the original car with 4 inch crossplies was quite light, however now it has 195/50 tyres it does make my eyes bulge when parking.

Mind you I don't think I would live very long on 4" crossplies with the Rover V8 fitted

Neil

[Swifty75]

Thanks for all the help.

turned out that it was two simple things. Low tyre pressure, but more importantly low PS fluid level. I thought it was ok but thought I would top it up to the maximum and it has been fine since.