Ford Forums banner

Power Steering Issue (Stiff to turn)

35K views 9 replies 7 participants last post by  R.S.LOGAN 
#1 ·
My friend has a 2000 KA 1.1 with power steering and recently her steering has become very stiff. There is plenty of power steering fluid in.

The power steering hasn't completely packed up but if you rotate the steering wheel around there are light parts and stiff parts.

Is this a common problem.

What is it likely to be?

Is it dangerous to still drive?

Any help appreciated
 
#2 ·
Hi kev
Assuming there are no problems with your drivebelt and tensioner? Increase the RPMs of the car while stationary, say, to 1500-2000 and try to turn the steering from full lock left to right and back a couple of times. If the problem is not there at a higher rpm then it could be a faulty pump, if it's still there or if it feels hard going only one way then the fault lies with the valves inside the steering rack. As far as I know none of these are a common problem down here, but I don't know in Europe. cheers
Marc
 
#4 ·
This isn’t going to be a great deal of help, but I thought I’d tell you anyway…

Previously I had a Fiesta 1.6 16v Si (You know the one with the rounded bumpers and circular fog lights), and that had the same problem.

It would suddenly go quite stiff as you were turning, and then light again. Sometimes if you let the steering wheel spin back to centre after doing a sharp turn the wheel would stop turning and the car would continue cornering!

I don’t know what the problem was, because after 90,000 miles of (ab)use it was fit for the scrappy as it had many other problems – I assume this was where it went when I p/x’d it!
 
#7 ·
Hey might be stupid question but i'm having the same trouble, how do you get to the UJ? Would I find instructions to it in the manual?

I've had my KA for about a year now and she's just started having the same problem as Kev. I've checked the fluid levels those seem fine and the steering gets easier once the car's warmed up.

I used to be able to corner and just let the wheel return after the bend but now i have to turn it back, so it's not gone completely but it's a noticeable difference.
 
#10 ·
This shows you the joint half way down . Common fault and WD40 often cures if you work it back and forth to penetrate and free off .


P.s
You are really better starting off a new post rather than tag on to an old one and double posts on same problem does not help with anyone replying .
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top