PAS too light - ideas please?

[Ben Lessani]

You've definately got the right fluid in, and its not contaminated with water etc? Lift the lid on the reservoir to double check.

When the tracking is out, it usually makes my steering stiffer.

If you find it light when the car is stationary, you can eliminate tracking. If its a replacement pump - you could find its on its way out and operating at an increased pressure. You can bring the pressure down by putting a larger pulley on the PAS pump to slow it down?

[kittie]

I think the relief valve sounds like a good bet to be the problem - as it is usually too light at speed but sometimes suddenly goes incredibly heavy when parking as well.

The fluid should be right as the pump was fitted at a garage so I would hope they put the right stuff in!

I've got the Wilwoods on now and it's getting four way aligned tomorrow so I will see how it is then. If it's no better I might see about having the pump replaced 

[rubjonny]

Most MK2s use Dexron II ATF fluid. G60s and some later diesels use a different fluid you can get from VAG. You can tell by checking your fluid reservoir, red cap = ATF green = VW fluid. Also says on the reservoir 'Use ATF fluid' or similar

[kittie]

Ah cool I will check what colour the cap is later as I can't remember offhand... think it's the colour of muck tbh

[monkeyalan]

hawleys on holme lane are your best bet kittie. just towards riverlin rd off hillsborough corner.

Challenger on rutland road managed to snap my steering rack and melt both cv boots doing my tracking

[filthy]

i have no experience with VW racks but most other car makes have the pressure relief valves in the rack

these reliese pressure back to the pump if it gets too high

might be the problem 

All pumps have relief valves which prevent the rack from being put under too much pressure...if they didn't then the system would be overpressurised and would leak

The racks have a rotary valve which controls the assistance that the rack gives...when you're not turning the wheel, theres no assistance, but when you turn the wheel, the valve opens and allows fluid to the relevant transfer pipe...if this is knackered then you could be getting unwanted assistance, making it feel light

This explains it....

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/steering4.htm

By the way, Kittie, if you need a rack, I've got a freshly reconditioned one here, I'll do it for a good price!

[Mr Blue]

Had the same problem on my old vr6.

had lots of pressure from the pump and then a pipe burst. After the pipe change the PAS felt even more light than it was. I dont think it did the rack any good 

[kittie]

I looked at howstuffworks.com when you first posted Filthy! It makes a lot more sense now. I suppse I'll have to try exchanging the pump and if that doesn't work then the rack... Won't be for ages though as I'm completely skint now 

I will have to remember to phone you for quotes though!

[dTEA]

Good luck Kittie, as I'm on for Awesome to look at mine on Tuesday as despite changing the bloody pump (it was knackered), splitting a pulley in half (Euro car Parts sold me the wrong belt!@!*!! ) and then splitting the bloody tensioner (thanks Rubjohnny for the replacement ) the car is still juddering at low speed and the belt (VAG so is correct) is still slipping unless revs are given at the same time...

If anyone else here knows WTF is going on then let me know

ps: sorry for thread hijack!!

[filthy]

Good luck Kittie, as I'm on for Awesome to look at mine on Tuesday as despite changing the bloody pump (it was knackered), splitting a pulley in half (Euro car Parts sold me the wrong belt!@!*!! ) and then splitting the bloody tensioner (thanks Rubjohnny for the replacement ) the car is still juddering at low speed and the belt (VAG so is correct) is still slipping unless revs are given at the same time...

If anyone else here knows WTF is going on then let me know

ps: sorry for thread hijack!!

If the pumps been changed, and the new belt is slipping, you've got the wrong pump...they all look the same, but they're not! some have a smaller pulley...if you've got one of these, then your belt will slip...get a smaller belt...

Believe it or not, Im currently in the same sitaution, I got a pump that was visually identical, even the same inside, but the pully is actually 4mm smaller! My belt slips at low speeds too...

Oh, you can't just put the bigger pulley on, cos then the pump doesn't spin fast enough and you wont get any assisstance until about 2000 rpm!