Afternoon all,

I have recently been getting steering judder on full lock to the right (and a little to the left) when the car is cold or at very low speeds.

The judder is quite severe and makes it very hard to turn the wheel fully (there is no problem when above 15 miles an hour).

Having posted about this before I checked the belt and looking at the receipts for the car, it was replaced last year. At the weekend I checked the belt which seemed a little loose and so tightened the top bolt up as it was also a little loose.

The problem is still there, if not a little worse.

Can anyone suggest where I go from here?

There is also a loud squeaking on start up which I'm informed is the Power steering pump? This squeaking can also be heard sometimes when I bring the wheel round on full lock to the right. FYI, the power steering fluid reservoir is full and there is no leaking.

I'm stumped....is it the pump and if so, what kind of costs am I looking at?

Thanks in advance.

 

its loose.............the belt

 

how tight should the belt be? At present I can turn it 90 degrees.

 

id say thats too much deflection tighten up some more

 

Had the same problem on my forester as you've described buy a new belt cheap enough should only be a quater turn see how you get on

Martin

 

Thanks guys. The belt was only replaced last September though....seems soon to be changing it.

 

I had the same symptoms as you describe although my belt looked ok and its cured the problem now... Worth trying imo

Martin

 

Check the p/s reservoir for bubbles. Engine must be running.

If there are bubble, you have an air leak on the low pressure side. Replace the O-rings and OEM clamps. Easy job, less than an 1 hour.