Pas inconsistently

[youde4]

Afternoon all
I've been experiencing some odd behavior from my power steering these last couple of days. It seems to feel inconsistent, it's still easy to turn but feels heavier, then lighter than usual, the steering doesn't seem to self correct as well as it should and I've almost been caught out a couple of times when exiting a roundabout and the van feels like it wants to carry on turning unless I really straighten her up. The belt is tight and fluid is at the correct level with the pas fluid, tyres are fine too. Could this be the pump itself beginning to fail? Or worse, something bent and misaligned or still ball joint somewhere along the lines? Anyone experienced a similar issue?
Cheers
Ben

[Wychall]

That sounds like it is time to recondition the steering rack. Strip and examine for wear. If no appreciable wear then rebuild with new seals.

[lloydy]

A cheap (as in free) thing to check is the little filter at the bottom of the reservoir, could be blocked?

[youde4]

Thanks for the replies, will check out and see if I can find a solution. The problem does't seem to have gotten any worse and it doesnt look like i've lost any fluid yet so fingers crossed for a blocked filter!

[Aidan]

I'd hazard a guess either a split rubber on the steering link or the UJ is starting to get well worn, next it'll get clonky and weird - the UJ is on the ps rack on the end of the link- a feel for play in a few positions may show up the fault, easier with the wheels in the air , it should smoothly spool from side to side
split in rubber component usually visable

[Hacksawbob]

How often do you need to change the filter? is it an age thing? and where do you get them from?

[lloydy]

Brickwerks sell them last time I looked

[silverbullet]

I would go with the failed U/J by the symptoms. Had the very same on a manual car and because the U/J is obviously before the rack, if it starts to jam (needles are broken) then it's still down to the power of your elbow to try and haul the wheel round. The PAS makes no difference if the input shaft isn't subject to torque because it's effectively locked.

FIX IT ASAP!