Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: lee9371 on 14 May 2013, 21:39:08

Title: Power steering "lumpy" - HELP
Post by: lee9371 on 14 May 2013, 21:39:08
Hi everyone, I have a problem with my power steering on my 2001 2.6 CD which I have just bought.

The power steering seems to be, what can only be described as Lumpy (the technical term I think). The car starts lovely, but whilst it's cold it struggles for a few minutes, don't know why, I'm not sure this has anything to do with the power steering but thought I would mention it.

I picked up the car from some way away, the engine was already warm and I didn't notice any problems, however since the power steering seems to work then not, even in the same turn of the wheel, I checked the pump and saw that the pulley wheel was not running true, so thought that was the problem, a garage put a new pump on today (£264) and I still have the same problem, they are saying that the rack is the problem? I don't weant to pay to have it changed, especially if anyone knows of anything different.

Any help would be most appreciated.
Title: Re: Power steering "lumpy" - HELP
Post by: Webby the Bear on 14 May 2013, 21:45:30
When you say lumpy... when you're turning from straight to full left/right is it light, then heavy, then goes light again?
Title: Re: Power steering "lumpy" - HELP
Post by: RobG on 14 May 2013, 21:48:26
Hi everyone, I have a problem with my power steering on my 2001 2.6 CD which I have just bought.

The power steering seems to be, what can only be described as Lumpy (the technical term I think). The car starts lovely, but whilst it's cold it struggles for a few minutes, don't know why, I'm not sure this has anything to do with the power steering but thought I would mention it.

I picked up the car from some way away, the engine was already warm and I didn't notice any problems, however since the power steering seems to work then not, even in the same turn of the wheel, I checked the pump and saw that the pulley wheel was not running true, so thought that was the problem, a garage put a new pump on today (£264) and I still have the same problem, they are saying that the rack is the problem? I don't weant to pay to have it changed, especially if anyone knows of anything different.

Any help would be most appreciated.
That`s 'dangle berries', Omega has a steering box not a rack
Title: Re: Power steering "lumpy" - HELP
Post by: 2woody on 14 May 2013, 21:50:48
most likely to be air in the system or a steering box internal fault.

not likely to be the pump. Demand your money back from the garage, they are a bunch of unskilled numpties
Title: Re: Power steering "lumpy" - HELP
Post by: Webby the Bear on 14 May 2013, 21:52:35
most likely to be air in the system or a steering box internal fault.

not likely to be the pump. Demand your money back from the garage, they are a bunch of unskilled numpties

+1

get rid of any air in the system and road test. if unresolved get it up on stands and look for play in the box.
Title: Re: Power steering "lumpy" - HELP
Post by: lee9371 on 14 May 2013, 21:59:31
Many thanks for the very speedy response - excellent.

 In response to Webby, when I say lumpy it is light then heay then light then heavy and so on and so on, Silly secondary question, is the steering box obvious, you can probably tell that I am an Miggy newbie!!
Title: Re: Power steering "lumpy" - HELP
Post by: symes on 14 May 2013, 23:13:22
jack miggy up-boyh front wheels off ground-take cap off fluid reservoir -fire it up and move steering left/right that gets air out :y check red relay up behind glove box too :y 
Title: Re: Power steering "lumpy" - HELP
Post by: PhilRich on 15 May 2013, 12:38:04
Forgive me if this is obvious, but did you check the fluid level in the PS reservoir bottle and the hoses from bottle to pump for leaks,as low fluid level and/or leaking joints can introduce air into the circuit :-\
Title: Re: Power steering "lumpy" - HELP
Post by: Kevin Wood on 15 May 2013, 12:41:18
Is the steering stiff at certain points in the steering wheel rotation?

If this is consistent then it's likely to be the steering box IMHO. Might be worth a try with the weight off the wheels and also engine stopped versus running.
Title: Re: Power steering "lumpy" - HELP
Post by: kcl on 16 May 2013, 06:17:59
Is the steering stiff at certain points in the steering wheel rotation?

If this is consistent then it's likely to be the steering box IMHO. Might be worth a try with the weight off the wheels and also engine stopped versus running.

Did you Kevin Wood get your steering sorted? What might have been the cause?
Title: Re: Power steering "lumpy" - HELP
Post by: Kevin Wood on 16 May 2013, 11:38:08
I never had a problem, but have seen an Omega that had tight spots in the steering, regardless of engine revs, and it turned out to be the steering box.