Veger

i have a strange problem with my ps, when starting my car and driving my ps seems normal but sometimes when pulling into my drive after a trip the ps seems hard like its not powerd? there seems to be no patern to it weather i drive hard or gentle. somtimes it happens just after i start my trip.

have checked the fluid level and all is fine. there is a little leak at the normal pipe but this is not loosing much fluid.

some info would be good

thanx steve.

Veger

err i think the term BUMP appies here?

DaveW

Any noise or other symptoms when it malfunctions? What do you mean by "normal pipe"?

Most PS units function by twisting a torque-rod in the unit and opening ports to direct the PS fluid to the rack based on the torque you apply. If there is dirt or debris in the fluid occasionally blocking the ports, the PS could work erratically.

Veger

no noise at all and it happens most often when i pull in after a drive. its almost as if it has no power steering but only occasionaly. . the normal pipe i am refering to is the rubber pipe close to where the power steering topup is that a lot of people seem to have a small leak on. i only know this cause i have searched here and downloaded pictures and tutorials of how to fix it. but in the space of 2 months i have only had to put a minute amount in.
btw thanx for the reply.

Veger

any one else with any ideas ?

FlameThrowingRotary

if you find out let me know, mines been doing the same thing, turning into a parking space after I drive it's a little hard to turn sometimes. My fluid level is in spec and isn't loosing any out of the resivor. It's weird.

Veger

will do but it looks like just me and u. either that or nobody has a clue haha

moconnor

iTrader: (14)

Wild longshot guess: the speed sensing power steering 'module' is screwed up. This 'module' is responsible for giving more power steering assist at lower speeds and may not be doing this on your car.

I put the word module in quotes because I have no idea how the system works on an FD (it does have it according to any number of sales brochures I have seen) and a search returns nothing. It must one of the few subsystems on an FD that is realiable (well, not for you I guess).

fritts

iTrader: (5)

My powersteering does the same thing. Seems to cut in and out after warming the car up. I just replaced all the fluid in it too.

Veger

well being a workshop manager of a company that imports mazdas i have a machanic at my disposal so im gonna investigate it. will let you all know how it goes.
any starting points would same time ?
ta