defender steering problem

[Le Sanglier]

My 98 300tdi occasionally loses power steering when setting off and this morning there was a whirring noise (which disappeared). Pump or steering box? 60 quid against 250! ps not losing any fluid. thanks in advance.

[Treewolf]

I'd check the pump drivebelt first of all, then pump. I would have thought that it was a lack fluid pressure causing this, not a box fault.

 

Is the fluid level correct? Has it ever been allow to drop very low, if so the box may need bleeding (usually there's a bleed nipple on top of steering box).

 

Generally the Adwest steering box is reliable and the only recurring faults are leaky seals.

[Le Sanglier]

I'd check the pump drivebelt first of all, then pump. I would have thought that it was a lack fluid pressure causing this, not a box fault.

 

Is the fluid level correct? Has it ever been allow to drop very low, if so the box may need bleeding (usually there's a bleed nipple on top of steering box).

 

Generally the Adwest steering box is reliable and the only recurring faults are leaky seals.

 

Cheers, I will check all those, just plucking up courage (minus 4 add the wind and its not nice to be under a def)

[treequip]

My first suspect would be a moody pressure relief valve

[Le Sanglier]

Ok as people have taken the trouble to think about it and reply i will come clean.

After Treewolf's guidance I double checked the level and you guessed it, it was very low.

I thought that if you could see the fluid it was ok but then I saw the dipstick on the cap and topped it up and up and it kept going. So problem solved, i guess the whirring was the pump struggling for oil.

Owning a landy is always an exercise in fluid retention(as indeed is the male body after 45) 2diffs, 2 boxes, Hydraulic tank for the winch, not to mention the engine itself. Thanks for the pointers.

[hazzygawa]

Sounds like you have air in the system.