Hi,

The stearing on our Octavia suddenly got heavier - overnight. It's still power assisted, just not as much. Both I and my wife noticed it so probably isn't 'my imagination.

Garage checked it out and said there was nothing wrong...but if there was it would be expensive.

Anyone any ideas what it might be?

Thanks,

Jon

Power steering angle sensor is the most likely thing. When it starts to go, usually you get intermittent heaviness and finally when it dies the PAS warning light comes on on the dash and you get no PAS at all. (which is fine on the move but a real pain when parking, etc)

Thanks for that. Are we talking a nice reasonably priced sensor replacement?

If this is the problem is it likely the garage would be clueless about it?

My 2004 Octy has had slightly heavy PAS when parking, moving at 1-2 mph ever since I bought it in April. It is fine on the move, think this may be the same snag? :wonder:

Nothing to do with the fact that it varies with speed by design?

think steering angle sensor is in the region of £100 + fitting or talk to shark_90 if your not far from mansfield. Im sure he'd be cheaper than the main stealer

Can it be verified that it's the angle sensor? The car has been in for a diagnostic check – shouldn’t it have showed up? The fault doesn't appear to be intermittent - the steering is constantly at half power.

Nothing to do with the fact that it varies with speed by design?

Possibly, but having driven different VAG based cars for a few years I've never noticed anything similar, in fact the converse is usually true - lighter steering / most power assistance when manoeuvring at slow speeds, less assistance at higher speeds.