Hi,
Just wondering if I can get a second opinion.
I have an 04 L322 with 100K on the clock. I've started to experience a problem with the steering. When turning the wheel it feels "lumpy" as if normal - stiff - normal - stiff (desperately trying to write this and avoid innuendo!).
I'm going to try changing the power steering fluid as a matter of course but wondered if this is a recognised fault. If the symptoms persist I will change the power steering pump (although I have no leaks on the system). Beyond that I'd look at the rack but want to make sure before chucking that kind of money about!
I've read on another forum that a Disco owner had something similar happen and cured it by replacing the uni joint on the steering column.
I should also add that I first noticed this last week after I changed the radiator. I have however done a thorough check to make sure all pipes are correctly plumbed and clipped back in.
Any thoughts appreciated!

You could try lubricating the joints on the steering column, you might be lucky.

Thanks for posting!
I think I'll take some time out tomorrow and have a poke about. I've also been reading on rr.net about the servotronic valve which can cause low speed heaviness and wobbles at a higher speed. I don't appear to have the high speed wobbles (touch wood) but do have an intermittent on/off heaviness at low speeds.
If anyone else thinks that the symptoms described could be applicable to the Servotronic Valve then drop me a line.
Thanks

the servotronic valve could be your problem..mine had heavy steering when coming to a stop or slow turn and the new valve solved this..

Hi Scarey,
the way I look at it is I have the PS fluid in hand so I might as well try that out. If replacing this doesn't improve things, as I said in the first post, I was considering a new PAS pump. I think now however I'll go down the Servotronic route. Can you recommend a good supplier? I understand £ 60 is about the right price.
From looking at the Rave manuals I figure I should be able to locate it and substitution looks pretty straight forward.
If you have a moment could you give me a clue as to the best way to drain the PAS fluid? Surely the rack is the lowest point to drain from? Much of what I read suggests syringing fluid from the reservoir and running intermittently to circulate. Other posts suggest pumping fluid out with the engine running and feeding the reservoir 'till the disconnected return pipe starts to run fresh.
Cheers

there is a thread on here somewhere , do a search for "servotronic valve" ..just under £60 is what i paid..the valve is located under the off side front wheel arch and by taking the wheel off is easily accessible....
not sure re changing the power steering fluid as i havnt done that..

I changed the PAS fluid on mine a month or so back. The old fluid was quite black so I did it as a precaution more than anything else. Now smoother from lock to lock but didn't get any lighter though.

Dom.

Hi Scarey and Dom,
OK, I'll have a more thorough look for a thread with a recommended source, Thanks.
Dom, great to hear it made things smoother but how exactly did you do it? Or perhaps you wouldn't recommend doing it that way again!
Cheers both

LOL, well I'll tell you how I did it. Whether or not you follow the same course of action is your call.

Remove PAS reservoir from mount.
Remove return pipe form reservoir and point into a 2 litre coke bottle.
Have an assistant start engine but DO NOT REV UP !!
Pour clean fluid into reservoir until fluid running into coke bottle is clean.
Stop engine.
Refit return pipe
re-mount reservoir
Start engine and top up.

Tear up approximately 7 old man-size bath towels into rags. These can then be used to mop up the mess if your assistant revs the effing thing up whilst pipes are only shoved into the tops of bottles.

Drive to Wickes. Purchase large bag of soft sand. This is used to spread on the drive to soak up excess fluid which might be deposited if your assistant revs the effing thing up whilst pipes are only shoved into the tops of bottles.

Dom.

Thanks Dom,
I'll attempt to learn at your expense!!
Best thread I've read in ages. Reminds me of the time at a teenager I was in to "discreet" home brewing. When transferring the contents (40 pts) from the fermenting bin to the pressure barrel I started the syphon off and went to watch some telly. 20 mins later my mum came in somewhat P'd off as I had not closed the tap on the barrel! Sticky kitchen floor to say the least.
Having owned several British bikes over the years oil on drives (well anywhere really) is a constant situation, usually resulting in cat litter (unused!) to soak the mess up.
Thanks for your help.

dom, i'd like to know who the assistant was that caused so much mayhem .

Stan, I think we both know who SHE was

and i bet she was as well..

Hi,
Just joined and this is my first post. just to let you know had exactly the same problem as alistair and after trawling round the net i happened across this forum. after reading thought i would try changing the fluid in the pas. enter next problem which is what fluid to use? anyway after another trawl settled on some mobil dexron 3 atf. took the banjo off the rack (the one with the 19mm head) and let it drip for an hour. filled her up and the ran it lock to lock a couple of times and something magical has happened. the steerings as smooth as, in fact never better.

Last edited by dogswick on 14th Jan 2012 6:38pm. Edited 1 time in total

welcome dog..its nice to see a member having a good old read and finding a solution instead of asking on their first post... ... - .- -.




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