i have a vauxhall astra 2001 x reg and for some reason steering feels heavy..?

Question

i have had the wheels balanced but still same problem. When i bought in july it was so smooth but now it isn`t. The steering feels heavy and i don`t enjoy driving it now. I don`t how to sort problem out as i don`t knw where to start. It is due for a service in december with my mot. Thank u

Answer 1

Maybe a problem with your power steering pump

Answer 2

Is your steering making noises when the wheel is turned to the lock? If so, it could mean that you have a leak in your power assisted steering system. We've just experienced this on a 3 yr old Merc Sprinter motorhome, and it transpired that there was a hole in one of the gaiters (covers the moving parts at the end of the tracking rods). If there isn't any sound, it could still be the fluid reservoir is low, which is one of the things they should check on your servicing. If it is low, there might be a slow leak - better to get it checked, because if it does develop nastily it will cost you the new steering rack - they no longer repair gaiters where dirt and dust can get in as well as fluid can get out; it's not economically viable. On the other hand, you've not had the car long, and if you don't keep a regular check on the tyre pressures it could mean that the tyres need a bit of air in them. Worst case scenario is that the car has been involved in an accident and balancing the wheels won't be any good unless they are also re-aligned.

However, if you ~do~ need a new steering rack, aim to get a re-con one; these are much cheaper than brand new ones and are usually very serviceable ones which have been taken out of vehicles under circumstances such as yours or mine, and then stripped down and re-conditioned to be serviceable again. A steering rack shouldn't fail without many thousands of miles on the vehicle (which is why I'm in dispute with Merc over mine - 10,500 miles on a 3-yr old vehicle). I drove my old C-reg Vauxhall Astra Estate three times round the clock. It got through two replacement reconditioned engines (one a fortnight later than the other after I hydraulicked it going through a flood), but it - and the other 20 or so vehicles I've driven in my driving years - never needed a new steering rack. It's quite a rare fault unless the vehicle has been in an accident, been 'kerbed' at speed or has done many thousands of miles.

If you go down this route, if you get a re-con steering rack it is generally on the condition that the one taken out is returned to the people doing the reconditioning - so they can re-con yours Ask the garage if this is the case; if not, get the rack back from them when they put the new one in and see if you can sell it yourself - it will at least help to defray the costs.

Answer 3

The first thing to do is make sure the tyres are at the correct pressure.

If that doesn't cure it then there may be a mechanical fault with the steering which is best left to an expert to check out.

Answer 4

Contact The Deptartment of Trade & Industry (D.T.I) for your rights as a buyer. Tell them the problem. Tell them when, where and who you bought it from. If you bought from a Trader, you may have certain rights and might be able to get them to fix. Not sure where you stand as a private buyer though, but normally very helpful. Or even your local Citizen Advice Bureau will be able to help. The car is only 5 years old...And you've only had it 2months. If you went to the shop and bought something and it broke after 2months, what would you do??

Answer 5

Common problem,as I recall these models have electronic rather than hydralic power steeering systems, Needs a new rack, be about £800 though.

Answer 6

its an electronic p.s pump try vauxhall dealer to check out on laptop .
if it is the pump its just over £600 ,it may be just a loose connection or low p.s fluid if its the pump take it back to the dealer or person you bought it off and explain to them the problem
goodluck

Answer 7

power steering pump shafted or fluid level low or belt broke also check tyre pressures they should be 30lbsft or2 bar psi

Answer 8

has it got power steering? if so it could probably need topping up with power steering fluid.

Answer 9

first if it is power steering cheack level in resovior
if this is ok soory new pump is required can be pricey

Answer 10

try steering fluid.