why is my power steering light and heavy?

[LegoHead]

I noticed that the steering was strangley light and easy, could turn the wheel with my finger!

I thought it was normal for it to be heavy, but I guess not.
Also gear changes seemed smoother too. This was from cold after not using car for over 24hrs.

Its going in for new alternator, belt and tensioner this week, is it connected? Or will it be a seperate problem.

 

[Daz]

Light and heavy?



Magic!

 

[LegoHead]

Light and heavy?



Magic!

? lost me.

It's light sometimes and heavy most of the time.

 

[Daz]

Tyre pressures?

 

[Lunner]

might be the pas fluid, is it only light when its cold?

new alternator already.........most mk1 clios that are 10+ years old are just starting to need new alternators.....f**king don't make things like they used to

Might be due to teh belt expanding when cold and slipping, although you'd hear that unless you are one of the brigade who thinks its a good idea to stop the aux belt squeeking by spraying it with wd-40

 

[Lunner]

Tyre pressures?

That would have oppersite effect....think about it......scroll down for the answer


















Heaverier stearing is caused by low tyre pressures

Tyre pressures are lower when cold to when they are hot

His stearig is light when cold, heavy when hot

Hence it can't be the tyres

 

[Jim NM]

Thought tha pas was supposed to lighten up at low speeds ie, parking and stiffens up when motoring. this makes sense, 'cos you don't want to be doing a ton with very light steering do you.

 

[Daz]

Oh, I read the question as only gear changes being different when cold

I thought this was a 172 mk2 anyway? :S

 

[Lunner]

So it is, appologies...in thatcase change teh gearbox oil

Dunno what mk2 172's have....apart from pansy PAS, still tyres won't fluctuate from time to time and increase and decrease