I brought a 2000 (x reg) Mondeo TD estate last night for 255 quid.

It needs a turbo, hence the price but driving it back I noticed the steering is a bit weird.. It's hard to explain but with the engine started if you hold the wheel say 90 degrees either way the steering wheel pulls back against you then kind of flop's and pulls and flop's and carry's on and on if anyone understands what I mean?

What should I look for first? The power steering pump makes a little bit of noise but nothing major. Any ideas?

Thanks

I brought a 2000 (x reg) Mondeo TD estate last night for 255 quid.

It needs a turbo, hence the price but driving it back I noticed the steering is a bit weird.. It's hard to explain but with the engine started if you hold the wheel say 90 degrees either way the steering wheel pulls back against you then kind of flop's and pulls and flop's and carry's on and on if anyone understands what I mean?

What should I look for first? The power steering pump makes a little bit of noise but nothing major. Any ideas?

Thanks

Is that when driving, or stationary?

Stationary is worst but while moving aswell, if you hold it there on smooth long corner for example. It also pulls to the left slightly on a straight flat road.

I'd suspect the pump, or maybe an airlock, then.

How would I check for an airlock? Are there any bleed valves?

I don't know. I seem to remember that you can put the wheels on a couple of old magazines (to reduce the load a bit) and the turn slowly lock to lock at idle.

*googles*

Power Steering System Service

It makes sense to me, and I used to run Hydropneumatic Citroens. I have no idea how to bleed the PAS on an Mundaneo though.

is the Mondeo the pre 2000 model with the 1.8 TDi engine ?

or the 2k on with the 2.0 TDi 16 valve engine ?

pump or rack , my guess would be rack, only because i have driven another vehicle recently with the same symptoms and that required a rack

they never usually have air lock problems in the PAS fluid system

It's a 2000 with the old 1.8 td engine

To be honest, I think the pump's the more likely culprit because it has a bit of a rattle and grind every so often while you're turning the wheel while parked.

Changing the turbo tomorow (Y) so I may investigate further.

It's a 2000 with the old 1.8 td engine

To be honest, I think the pump's the more likely culprit because it has a bit of a rattle and grind every so often while you're turning the wheel while parked.

Changing the turbo tomorow (Y) so I may investigate further.

I'll get my daft question out of the way so that the thread may continue....

Have you checked the power steering fluid level?