Steering broken?

[SMason0877]

I could use some quick advice from you folks "in the know" so to speak.

My vit has developed a problem where if you turn to the right, the steering wheel moves about an inch then feels like you to get over a little resistence and then its fine.  If you stop turning and then have to turn further to the right it has that bit of resistence again.

Turning to the left is fine, and it drives fine, no vibrations or anything, just that little bit resistence.  I've done no off roading  lately only ever done tame stuff anyways.  Does anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks

Si

[colintandy]

do you have a steering damper fitted

[SMason0877]

No, it has no dampers or anything like that, pretty bog standard.

[Jas278]

Power Steering Belt slipping.....?

[gtomo2]

Yes i would think along the lines of the power belt slipping aswell. Just had the same problem with mine and it was the belt. If not check your stering box adjuster if you have one on yours as the box my just be worn a bit. and need ajusting

[SMason0877]

I'll have a look at the belt when i get home, i'm not the most mechanically minded, thanks for your input though.  I'll let you know  :)

[SMason0877]

The belt is nice and tight, and i've topped up the fluid but it was only slightly low.  

Took it into a garage for them to check and they think it might be the steering box, they said u can adjust them but its a nightmare and would prefer to put a new one on, but have said they would fit a second hand one if i got one.

I'm gonna price up a second hand one, but is adjusting the box really that complicated?

[petergalileo]

Just had this on my Discovery, turn the wheel from centre and it feels tight, you nudge it over a couple of times and you get the power steering back.

I cured mine, was the steering box.

[gtomo2]

to adjust the steering box of you look at it from the top you should see a nut and bolt just slacken the nut off and turn the bolt down till the play has gone oh and the bolt should have a slot in it for a screwdriver blade

[Sheddy]

If the steering has a "notchy" feel to it then the steering box isn't just worn, it has probably got its fallen off of the worm drive thingy inside.

Ball bearings sit inside a spiral track so as you turn the steering the ball bearings move up and down the spiral.  That spiral is the worm drive thingy.  In my old Transit, it had the same system and this went all notchy.  It just meant that as I drove round a corner there was additional resistance to turning the wheel at a couple of points..... until the steering jammed halfway round a bend and I went through a shop front.

My advice would be don't drive it until its fixed, I was lucky and walked away but that was because I was only doing about 15mph at the time of impact.

[SMason0877]

Thanks for the input folks, i've emailed vitara breakers, lets wait and see if he has one  [-o<

[Bush Tucker Man]

Simply a stiff UJ in the linkage from the steering column to the box??

[robbie]

Simply a stiff UJ in the linkage from the steering column to the box

wouldnt want to take the risk to be honest that it was a stiff UJ, ity would surely do that in both directions. I would seek some serious advice and get it sorted. No good looking down from theheavens wishing you had taken it to a garage for advice ;)

[rollazuki]

Maybe worth backing the adjuster on the box out a little to induce more play, drain , refil, and bleed the system, and re-adjust.
It might be a bit of muck etc jammed in the gears.bearings etc that might wash thru..?

[FISKO1982]

Hi, i used to work for a company that reconditioned steering boxes and racks etc etc, Before you adjust the box remove the nut and undo all the bolts that hold the lid on and take a look inside, its more than likley the worm gear is worn, or the bearings are knackered. If you cant see any faults bolt the lid back on. I think from memory you should do the bolt up in the center tight( not mega tight just tight) then back it off 2 and a half turns, then do the nut up again.

[SMason0877]

Hi Folks, Thanks for all your input.

It seems that the power steering fluid is leaking out of the bottom of the steering box where it meets up with the steering arm(?).  I'm waiting on a price for a recon one from Vitara Breakers. :(