Notchy power steering

[Crazysteve]

Hi, this all started yesterday.
When turning left or right at certain points it feels like the steering wheel wants to lock up.
Even on tick over just turning the wheel it feels as if it has hit something solid, move it a fraction further and it releases.
Cars done 81k, 55 plate 2.5xt fozzy, belts where replaced at about 75k, fluid level ok.
Went to Europa this morning to have the re-call done, drove back down the motorway ok, until turning onto our drive, then needed two hands too bully the thing square.
One other thing, back in Jan when it snowed, spun and kerbed it on the front l/h side.(no damage to the wheel or tyre and drove straight with no vibration after.)
It has had the tracking checked since and was about 3mm out.
Otherwise no other problems.

[rmaurer]

I was getting a notchy clonk from the steering of my WR1 recently, seemed worse when accelerating and turning left. A local garage discovered a failed weld on a heat shield meaning the shield was contacting the steering column at certain angles. Having posted this on wr1oc.co.uk a couple of others had experienced the same problem. Might be worth a check...

[Crazysteve]

Cheers i'll have a look this afternoon when i get up.
Going for changing power steering fluid at the same time.

[Crazysteve]

Thanks, good call.
The bottom rear heat shield under the turbo has dropped down and jamming against the steering knuckle.
Looks like it never was refitted back correct after a recent engine rebuild, one of the 6mm studs is even still loosely bolted in. It looks like it is supposed to pick up on the top heat shield.
I will get some picks this w/end.

[rmaurer]

No problem, glad that's what it was as it's a simple fix and the old wallet breathes a sigh of relief

[dabiscuit]

mine makes a whining sound when at full lock either left or right. guess it could be servo noise but is worringly loud

[Crazysteve]

rmaurer said:

No problem, glad that's what it was as it's a simple fix and the old wallet breathes a sigh of relief

Sort of a cheap fix, biggest problem was getting the heat shield to stop where it should be.
It was the shield from the headers up to the turbo, it looks like the rear inside shield is missing and this should pick up on the one that has broke. This has probaly helped the weld break.
Next cock up was while refitting the intercooler, leant across the plastic header tank and broke off one of the pipes.
Made a bracket and used it to hold the shield away from the steering column

The bracket had bent back 90 degrees and had to be thrashed with a hammer and large screwdriver.

Edited by Crazysteve on Monday 9th April 09:06