hard steering

[natedog]

hi i have a 92 swb bighorn 3.1. when vehicle is stopped or moving slowly the steering gets very hard to turn which makes it difficult off-road! any ideas on wot to check?

[geeves]

What size tyres and what pressure?
It could be a loose fan belt or bad power steer box or pump or nothing at all How hard is hard.

[natedog]

32x11.5 15 runing 30 psi its hard enough that you cant turn, belts etc are all tight

[geeves]

I have the same size tyres and although you can turn them with the engine going and car stationary on a hard surface you wouldnt want to but by 1 or 2 kph its not too bad. Whats it like manouvering ie reversing into a park?
Has it always been hard or has it got worse? Does giveing the engine a small rev help?

[James W]

I imagine you would have checked the fluid levels?

Is it constant across the range? or tight in the middle? full left/right or otherwise?

[natedog]

yeah fluid levels are al ok, it only got worse in the last few weeks and is hard all the time. does any one now wot pressure the pump should produce?

[geeves]

Try lifting both front wheels off the ground and see how well it turns both with and without the engine running. With no load on the tyres it should be fairly easy without power but still easier with. If its very tight try greasing all your ball joints and see if it improves If starting the engine doesnt help its a power steer problem. You could try a special power steer fluid or an additive but beyond that its probably a trip to the mechanic

[James W]

It could be a siezed bearing or something like tht, but I'm guessing... if you get to that point or jsut want it chcked out, try the Power Steering Shop on Aldwinds rd, best deal and service I have found in chch so far

[natedog]

Rite o thanks guys