Power Steering Judder?

I had a slight judder in mine, but topping up the fluid seemed to sort that out... maybe a good starting point.

Take it this is where you check the power steering fluid?

Cheers for that, sounds not tooo expensive?????

Just out of interest, what are the symptoms of a power steering pump going? Strange noises, heavy steering etc..

ES has a good point we have seen loads of the top mount bearings failing /seizing on the top of the front struts best way to check is while the fault is vibrating get someone to move the steering while you touch each spring you will feel the vibration through the spring as the bearing seizes and the spring jumps round to catch up if this is causing your vibration,also as T5 has mentioned check your steering pipes to make sure they arent touching each other or the body etc pay special attention to (as you look at the engine) the pipe on the right hand side that goes down over the gearbox as it folds round behind the box it has a bracket that bolts to the gearbox that has a tendency to snap and vibrate.

OK, so 1st things first, look into fluid and see if any oil can be seen. Assuming that is clear, to feel the spring I would put my hand under the wheel arch, next to the wheel, and get someone to turn the steering wheel, hopefully not pinning me to the wheel arch , and seeing if I can feel the spring 'notching' / jumping.

Thanks will do that. Assuming it is failing top mount bearings, is it a 'big' job to sort by someone proficient?

Another clue to shagged top strut bearings is if the noise is more prominent in dry conditions, in wet condition the water lubricates the sticky part and the noise decreases

Hi there, thanks for your replies. I haven't had time to investigate this further, but do you think a partially stuck alternator wheel would manifest itself (one way) in juddering power steering (both turning left and right) when the engine is cold (i.e. first thing in the morning), as this seems to be the only time that I experience the judder!

Ehm, ok could be Is this something checkable i.e. the belt is accessible for les digits?

Is condensation something to worry about?

Why would my belt have condensation and others not if all kept outside in the cool overnight?

Confused.

Hi I also have a slight steering judder on my 2006 T5 130 auto, but only first thing in the morning. 

I have put this down to the altenator trying to recharge the battery after cold starting with the glow plugs on, and the relatively thick power steering fluid.  Also auto box shift quality not as good as when hot I think also due to relatively thick fluid in the auto transmission. 

 

Perfect no steering  judder when hot and auto shifts perfect when hot.

 

 

Edit:  This happens whilst I am doing a 3 point turn at tickover RPM.

Edited by SteetonMVP - 28 Oct 10 at 21:22

SteetonMVP wrote: Hi I also have a slight steering judder on my 2006 T5 130 auto, but only first thing in the morning.  I have put this down to the altenator trying to recharge the battery after cold starting with the glow plugs on, and the relatively thick power steering fluid.  Also auto box shift quality not as good as when hot I think also due to relatively thick fluid in the auto transmission.    Perfect no steering  judder when hot and auto shifts perfect when hot.     Edit:  This happens whilst I am doing a 3 point turn at tickover RPM.

Hi Steeton. Thanks for your input . This sounds right to me. So a perhaps a battery on its way out or just another character trait on cold mornings . Also, same as you my gear changes feel a lot stiffer when cold (but I'm a manual). In fact the whole van is a bit of a dog until running for 5 mins at least!


Edited by Kitawagon - 29 Oct 10 at 17:57