Steering Lumpy Only On Idle After Pump Change

[Bill Button]

Hi just had my steering pump changed as the bearings failed and a few other bits done to get me gal though the MOT, the garage said that the old pump was the original and that they had fitted a upgraded one. Since this pump was fitted, the steering is lumpy at low revs IE tick over,but when revs are above 1100. Steering is smooth as silk, any one else come across this.

 

Cam belt kit was replaced at the same time, all other work was suspension related.

My only worry is that the garage is going to say my steering rack has now failed.

 

Thanks Bill

[dlt1617]

May seem strange but turn the wheel at least several times in qwick sucession fully lock to lock just in case the steering was not blead of air. You would need to make sure it is hard over to the stops for a couple of seconds on each side.

 

Best wishes

 

Dave

[chrispb123456]

Check the alternator clutch pulley hasn't seized as this can cause problems with the steering, can also give noise like the belt is slipping.

[Bill Button]

Hi Dave and Chris, thanks for the responses. Tried Dave's suggestion but made no difference the garage had it back on Saturday and are saying its the A/C pulley clutch not disengaging fully. Took it out for a spin today and not happy with it so have returned it to the garage.( had a work trip to Birmingham planned for Monday )

The Aux belt does not run smooth at all, lots of additional noise,

Will let you all know the outcome

 

Cheers Bill

[Bill Button]

Hi we'll this issue has been carrying on a bit now, here's the latest.

Garage has said there is no clutch on the alternator but did free the ac clutch. Aux belt changed and tensioner still had this noise when moving the steering only when on idle. Took it back to the garage and showed them the problem!

Week later (today) got the car back with another change of steering pump, still the same.

 

So here's my thinking. I just put up with the new noise, or challenge the garage and get them to fit a original pump (not factored )

 

Any one want to comment?

 

Thanks Bill

[dlt1617]

Hi Bill did they quote you a part number for the pas pump they changed on your invoice? I would be tempted to check the pump fitted is correct and from a reputable supplier

 

Dave

[seatkid]

All PD engines (yours is a 2003 and so a PD) are fitted with one way clutched alternators. It is almost certainly this that is seized - I bet the the garage just spun it by hand and found no one way action and assumed it was not clutched, well thats exactly what happens when the clutch seizes.

 

With the alternator clutch out of action, you get aux belt/ tensioner jumping about at idle speeds, lots of associated noise, steering judder etc. (this is due to the PD engine having a light flywheel and DMF as standard)

 

The solution is either a replacement alternator (make sure its the correct type with a one way pulley), or replace the pulley which can be removed from the alternator with the appropriate tools. (search the forum for one way pulley to find approx costs)