whats wrong with my valver?

[midge]

picked it up today a few things that i want to sort, and would like some advice

1. power steering pump pretty noisy
2. pulls to left quite alot
3. a bit of play in steering (an inch each way)

 

[BenR]

1.most are, they tend to survive fine though
2. tracking check
3. worn steering joint or ball joints.

 

[gunnergibson]

check tyre pressures in all tyres, make sure equal, get tracking checked, inspect wheels for buckledness......
steering rack may need a spot weld on lower joint..or replace rack

 

[midge]

my dad said one of the track rod ends may have had it and thats why it pulls, im gonna lower it this week so ill get the tracking done after that, spot weld on the steering rack shouldnt be much should it? how do i check for worn ball joints?

infact how can check all of the problems? i also think the front right wheel bearing is on its way out (when its turning right it rumbles alot and rumbles generaly all the time while moving)

 

[Adams_16v]

top ur PS fluid up, and turn the wheels as far left and right as poss with the cap off. used to quieten mine up a fair bit!

 

[Ben j]

play in the wheels means a new column is needed and it will get worse and dangerous as i've experienced before, get it checked out asap

 

[Ben j]

oh and u may have a seized caliper makin the car pull?

 

[4836]

If it's pulling to the left it could be torque steer. What car is it? If not it's gonna be the tracking prob. As for the steering play, get a new coloumn. Some people say weld it, but in my opinion as a mechanic I wouldn't weld anything to do with steering, suspension, etc. The heat could soften the metal.

 

[midge]

is it possible that a gone cv jint would cause all of these problems? apart from power steering pump which was done 20k ago..

 

[Matty]

A lot of people have found that additives like Slick 50, Wynns, or Forte for Power Steering help reduce or even get rid of the noise from PAS pump.

I used Wynns last time as could not get the Slick 50. Forte stuff comes up on ebay quite often and tend to be teh best make to go for.

Also worth trying the bleeding process as described in Haynes manual, as you could have some air in system.

And for alot of small jobs a Haynes manual is invaluable.