power steering suddenly failed on journey home this morning( no warning at all)

[richiem]

Hi folks

I got in the car this morning and as i got around a mile home the power steering suddenly failed with absolutely no warnin at all.
Cant believe how heavy the biatch is to steer without it.
Ive looked on google to find the p/s res as i could nt find it anywere and was shocked to here its behind the drivers side wheel ( rear of head light)

Ive already noticed theres a lot of fluid over everything on the underside of the car ( lower arms ect) so im guessing theres a leak on one of the pipes or something!! Any tips of were to first look would be most helpfull guys ( thought there might be a common leak spot)
I cant believe i got no signs of this issue comming as i had no noise from the pump or tightness from the steering before it gave up!
Cheers rich

[richiem]

Right ive had the wheel of and it seems i got the wrong info for the location of the res as ive now found it up by the bulkhead! Funny thing is, the res is empty but i can see no signs of leaking ! The fluid i thought i see was just a small engine oil leak that had sprayed over all the drivers side bottom area Ive checked everything around the area and can find no damp spots or spills?? Wonder were the fluid has gone???

[Duncan]

Right ive had the wheel of and it seems i got the wrong info for the location of the res as ive now found it up by the bulkhead!

You sure?! PAS res has always been behind the drivers side wheel/arch. Wasn't aware of them moving it up to the bulkhead. Only reservoirs up there would be the brake fluid and coolant.

[Big Sig]

You sure?! PAS res has always been behind the drivers side wheel/arch. Wasn't aware of them moving it up to the bulkhead. Only reservoirs up there would be the brake fluid and coolant.

[Big Dave]

You sure?! PAS res has always been behind the drivers side wheel/arch. Wasn't aware of them moving it up to the bulkhead. Only reservoirs up there would be the brake fluid and coolant.

Seen mention on here before of the PAS reservoir being in the engine bay and not under the headlight behind the wheelarch.

[richiem]

Yep! its underneath the diesel filter around the middle of the bulkhead ( has powersteering wrote on the cap and the dipstick attached)
Mine is a sri cdti 150 on an 04 plate..
Ps/ seems the car is fooked by the way. The powersteering fluid has been leaking out of the track rod end gaitor which im guessing means the seals in the rack have failed!!
Theres a tear in the gaitor and when you move it the fluid is coming out .
Looks like its been leaking for some time as the fluid is all over the lower arm and the inside of the alloy wheel ..
**** knows were im ganna get the $$ for a new rack!!

[Das]

You sure?! PAS res has always been behind the drivers side wheel/arch. Wasn't aware of them moving it up to the bulkhead. Only reservoirs up there would be the brake fluid and coolant.

Seen mention on here before of the PAS reservoir being in the engine bay and not under the headlight behind the wheelarch.

Yep on smaller engined models it sits on top of the steering rack against the drivers side bulkhead. Think its the 3.2, 3.0 and 2.8 that its hidden in the front wheel liner.

[richiem]

Looks like the gaitor on the d/s track rod has been full of fluid and burst!
Just done a call to a steering rack shop and ive been priced £300 to fit a new one..

[Duncan]

Yep on smaller engined models it sits on top of the steering rack against the drivers side bulkhead.

Aha, still learning things from this site even now!

Think its the 3.2, 3.0 and 2.8 that its hidden in the front wheel liner.

Add 2.0T to the list plus any others.

[Alank]

just had mine changed, i just brought a second hand one off ebay for now instead of paying £300 it cost me £60 for the part then another £60 to fit.