Power Steering

[Bentley boy]

Hope you guy's can help me with this 

My Focus has got a problem with the power steering in that the steering keeps going heavy    it's driveable but not as much fun as normal 
I changed the PS pump & bleed the system fully but I'm sure air is getting in somewhere, the strange thing is the fluid does not leak so to my mind the air can't be getting in through the high pressure section (or could it?)
I was recently working on the front end where I moved the rack a few times when it was jacked up, when I finished I took it for a test & low & behold the steering was great  this lasted for nearly a week until it went heavier again 

Any ideas ? Steering rack,hoses, pump      

Thanks

[nickliv]

Hi BB

Hoses would be my guess, hoses can go soft over time, and close up particularly when they're bent, and as you said that the steering was better after you'd moved the rack suggests that the hoses might have gone 'round' again after being moved. Moving the rack, which is a solid lump of tin shouldn't bother it.

Try posting this on one of the ford forums as well, or on www.ppcmag.co.uk/forums I've found the PPC guys to be a most helpful and knowledgeable bunch.

[Bentley boy]

Thanks Nikliv

Thanks for the reply!

I'll put some new hoses on & hope for the best 

[nickliv]

I've just posted your question on PPC too.

They've had problems with spam recently, so you might not be able to register, but keep an eye on it here

http://www.ppcmag.co.uk/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=5021

All the best

Nick

[nickliv]

BB. Here's their suggestion;-

internally collapsing hoses or dodgy pump possibly....

is he sure the drive belt isnt slipping/pulley loose on shaft?

[Bentley boy]

Thanks for posting that  If you're around in June I'll certainly buy you a beer.

I guess they must mean the rubber supply or return hoses & not the metal high pressure one's? if that works I'll buy you a crate of beer