Power Steering Goes Heavy

[Sundayjumper]

Slightly odd one this, the steering on my car occasionally goes very heavy like there's suddenly no assistance. It's not repeatable, but when it happens, it's usually at low speed when I'm accelerating and winding on some steering lock, e.g. pulling out of a tight junction. When it's happened I've always managed to haul the steering round and keep the car going in the right direction but I'm slightly worried that if it happens while my wife is driving she'll end up just ploughing straight across the road

The belt doesn't look too bad and there's no squeaking or squealing noises so I don't think that's the problem. I suppose that's a nice easy thing to change though just in case. Fluid level is fine and FWIW the car had a new steering rack about nine months ago (a while before I bought it).

Anyone else had a similar problem ?

[jreidX5]

I had a similar issue and ended up having the steering column universal joint greased and the problem disappeared.

[Sundayjumper]

Hmm, interesting. I gave mine a good dousing with spray grease last night and will do it again today.

I guess this is why some cars have a rubber boot over the joint, to keep it clean and moving freely. There was a thread about it recently.

[jst2878]

check for any leaks out of the bottom hose and check reservoir levels. some e53's had a recall on the three steering column bolts not being torqued properly.

[Sundayjumper]

No leaks and the level is fine. I'll check all the bolts too. Ta

[Negritoamni]

I`m still kicking myself.....I should have read this thread before changing any parts. ( belt and hydraulic tensioner, and power steering pump, no help). Cleaned up and lubed that flex joint and works sweet.
I guess too many engine washes came back to bite me. Thoug, I will make lubing this joint a regular thing with my normal engine wash...

All it took was some Liquid Wrench and Lithium grease
Thanks, again

[mattkins99]

on my old 540 I had this problem and replaced the power steering pump and that fixed it.

[GOFAST GUY]

I have that same problem actually. Was it easy to get at?

[mattkins99]

You asking me?

It was 6 or so years ago on my E39 and if you want me to confirm I have the Bently manuals, but iirc, it was messy (brake fluid...) but easy. Just remove the under body panel and it's right there.

[papasmurf]

Try this. Drive around town, then go on the highway. Get up to 65mph or so then get off. Did the steering go heavy afterwards, and stay heavy until you restart the car? If so, your general module is bad, specifically the part that controls the variable assist power steering. The proportioning valve is a bulletproof design. I had it happen to me.