Heavy steering after standing off-road for a while

[Cavalier342]

I've fired up the V6 today, just to get it up to temperature, check round etc, when I briefly took it on the road just to turn round a few times, the steering felt like the front tyres were flat ish, they are both above normal pressure, as the car is left parked up for a long time, is that normal and just needs to be worked in, or the system bled, etc?

[Lowrider Dave]

Apart from tyre pressure, only other thing is slightly seized caliper or if you've left it with handbrake on all this time that can contribute.

[Robsey]

Assuming that all was fine before the lay-up,

We need to consider what would cause heavy steering.

Perished rack seals.
contaminated or old fluid.
Faulty steering pump.
Low fluid level - suspect a leak.

Does the steering feel notchy or does it whine when not near to full lock.

Remedial action in price order -cheapest first.

1 - Check the reservoir fluid level.
If fluid level is fine.
2 -Try bleeding by running the engine and turning lock to lock and back again 3 or 4 times.
Or
3 - Try a fluid change and bleed.
4 - Consider a replacement power steering pump.
5 - Replace the rack.

If the fluid level is low

Seek out any leaks and replace the faulty part.
Top up / replace the power steering fluid.

[Cavalier342]

Cheers guys, steering was fine before parking the car off-road for long time, but only noticed it yesterday when running it. The PAS fluid is rubbish, I've posted on here before about it where I tried changing and bleeding it, the colour is dark grey and it doesn't smell right, which would be either a damaged pump or faulty rack or something else. Wondering now if the pump is on it's way out where it's been stood still. It doesn't make any weird noises when turning the wheel, just feels heavy.

Brakes are ok, I let the handbrake down and left it in gear for the period of standing, and it brakes fine, no sticking or pulling. Definitely a steering component that's playing up.

[Robsey]

Sounds like very dead fluid..
Should be cherry red.

I have also heard that heavy steering could be due to a worn rack.
Prior to laying up, you may have got used to the weight of the steering as it deteriorated.
Then after a break, you noticed the difference.

[Cavalier342]

Well it never happened on my auto after a longer period of SORN, but then the power steering fluid on that was perfect.

It's just weird because I know exactly how it feels to steer, even when parked still and at low speeds and yet it just felt like the tires were flat. I'm guessing it's gotta be the pump itself.

[sribobby]

Maybe a fluid change and a good drive would help it. Probably the cheapest thing to start with if nothing else!

[Cavalier342]

New pump comes to mind, but yes, the above would be easier to try first.