Jonnys3

My wife has a T-reg (1998) corsa and steering is occaisionally heavy. I suspect this might be the power steering can't see a power steering fluid reservoir under the bonnet to check the ps fluid level. Does it have normal power steering or electric power steering?

Luminous

iTrader: (3)

speed sensitive steering? Does the heaviness only happen at certain speeds?

Also, do you have a sports button on the dash, as I think that firms up the steering.

loppy

hi mate
think you will find the reservoir on the bulk head under the steering rack on the right hand side although if the pump isnt noisy then doubt it will be low, have you check the drive belt??

All Torque

Electric power steering on these and the rack is prone to failure and its a PITA of a job to do even for an experienced mechanic.

Jonnys3

She wishes, but then she wants a scooby too .

It's a basic 1.7 diesel. The car isn't making any noise or juddering on steering. and it's not at any specific speed, it's just overall. The steering has only started to feel slightly heavier after a new alternator was fitted at the local garage the other day (the battery died twice before it went to the garage and apparently the alternator wasn't recharging the battery, just draining it). Could fitting the new alternator have affected the response at all? I took it out last night and it drives fine and steers fine but it does seem slightly heavier than before it went in.

It might be the case that we're just being paranoid cos if you were to drive the car now without knowing what it felt like beforehand it probably wouldn't be considered a problem but you known how it is when you learn how a car feels and then suddenly it feels slightly different.

Nido

Probably a stupid question, but have you checked the tyre pressures are correct?

Jonnys3

At the time of posting, no, as the car drove perfect before the alternator incident (which has now proved to be purely coincidental), but you've got it - it would appear the front nearside tyre has a slow puncture. I came to the car yesterday morning after it had been sat on the drive for 36hrs after posting and hey presto, the tyre was considerably deflated. Inflated it yesterday and it drove like normal. Just need to get it repaired/replaced.

Thanks to all for your help. Much appreciated!