Power Steering Fault.

[canny_banjo_man]

Hi All ...
Been a while I kn, I'm SORRY, but My MUM is not 2 well at the moment, being 80 yrs Young...Bless her....
However I have a slight problem on My Car's Power stearing....I'm losing fluid.....yet I can't 4 the life of Me find out where...all I kn is I gotta top up abt 1/2 inch per week when I turn full lock 2 the RIGHT, all is fine...BUT when I put Full lock LEFT...it kinda makes a funny squealing noise & wants 2 fight bk central ....although it steers fine at moderate speed, BUT a little stiff at 20 mph & below...I'm sure there's a problem, I can't see any leaks at all, now at 93,000 miles I DO expect a bit of wear 'n tear...but NOTHING SCAREY... it has only covered abt 450 miles since its MOT, on which I had 2 replace the handbrake cable....Would I B safe 2 carry on using Her...or are I " On My BIKE "...LOL....THANK'S...Chris.....

[jim8860]

What type of car? If the car has a rack and pinion steering most likely the rack is bad.

[canny_banjo_man]

Hi Jim,
The car is a UK Ford Fiesta 1.25 zetec 16 valve, as yet I don't have a repair manual 4 it, 4 some reason they R kinda like " HENS TEETH " , I think it is R & P but I don't even kn where the PUMP is, it also has Air-Con...& being a small car, once U gut Yr EYES in2 the engine bay...that's it, there is NO space left 2 blink, if U kn what I mean...Compact is NOT the word here Jim...LOL....
There R NO leaks of ANY sort on My driveway at all...( Touch-Wood )....& it is parked level too, so all the fluid readings R abt right...I have had new tyres fitted recently, & it has made the steering a LOT easier...but the fault has only jus come 2 B noticed, I check ALL My fluids at least 3-4 times a week, it kinda comes second nature 2 me, a little story B-Hind that Jim, sorry 2 GO -ON...One of My screen washers were a little low, so I used a needle 2 set the 4 squirty jets up...I guess I over applied the pressure or they jus did'nt like bein poked with a needle by Me...LOL...now that altered the flow of water onto the screen, now It used to 2 B a kinda steady misty flow...now it's like 4 fountains...so I have 2 keep the water bottle topped up, hence...Whilst I R doin that, it's only a few seconds 2 scan the bay & check the oil...after all prevention IS bttr than CURE...Chris.....