I have been having a problem with my power steering on my Y reg Fabia (only done 60K). When I bought the car a few months ago I had the power steering light come on twice with no effect and not since then until yesterday where I lost assisted steering temporarily. After the light came on I didn't notice any effect until I tried to park a few minutes later. I drove off without restarting the engine and it was working again though the light remained. I have tested my battery and it could use replacing but I decided to check fluid anyway. The battery box bolts were rust; though I got two off, the last one (top left) is seized and the head has rounded off the nut from corrosion. Without damaging the plastic I don't see how I can get at it. So a couple of questions:

 

- Is this bodywork which supports the battery welded to the main chassis or simply bolted in place? 

 

- (Where) can I get a battery box replacement at not too great a cost?

 

- Any tips for getting at it without damaging the casing? (vise grips are slipping and not a lot of space to cut into nut)

I've got a battery box I could post to you. It's the wrong size for my car (mines a VRS so it's not wide enough) so if youd want to pm me the the size of yours I can compare and take it from there.

You can also buy those bolt/remover sets from screwfix for about 12 quid to get that bolt out if you can't think of any other ideas.

It will probably be your battery on it's way out (it's happened to me too), take it to a Halfords and get them to test it, if it's not OK buy yourself a Varta especially as winter is approaching.

 

DB.

I know the battery needs changing anyway, but it just annoys me to leave the rusted nut there.

I know the battery needs changing anyway, but it just annoys me to leave the rusted nut there.

http://www.screwfix.com/p/erbauer-bolt-nut-remover-set-6-pieces/6083d

 

The bolt is 13mm, that set goes up to 14mm (I know as i've just literally bought it)

I bought these one earlier today before work and got it off easily: http://www.screwfix.com/p/irwin-bolt-grip-nut-remover-set-5-pieces/96028?cm_sp=Search-_-SearchRec-_-Area1&_requestid=242443#_=p.

 

Haven't got any nuts with the integral washer like that one lying around so I used my tap and die set to clean up the threads, soaked in some WD40 and reassembled with a slathering of grease. The PAS fluid was low so I topped it up. The battery needed changing so I just did that as well. for future reference the metal that supports it is bolted on. No other corrosion in the engine bay that I can see

 

Thanks for the advice

Great tools to own, those Irwin things. :clap:

I was mildly annoyed with myself earlier, because I took off my Polo's battery box a week or two ago, and looked at what was revealed with it out of the way. I thought at the time - "I should take some photos" but must have got distracted 'cos there weren't any on my phone when I looked earlier.

Did you check that your drain tube wasn't blocked? Mine was, at/in the point where the flexible hose attaches.

I didn't check the drain tube. It detached itself when the box came out so I plugged it back on. Didn't see any blockage in there but wasn't really looking.

If you do need a new battery, +1 on the varta. Mines been on the car for 8 years with multiple uses jump starting other cars. Been sitting for 3 months and started like normal

If you do need a new battery, +1 on the varta. Mines been on the car for 8 years with multiple uses jump starting other cars. Been sitting for 3 months and started like normal

I got a Yuasa 5yr guarantee one from my work where I get discount. You can probably guess where.

 You can probably guess where.

 

Halfords? :p

Yuasa or Varta/bosch.......................Varta make the ones for Bosch........all good quality & if your battery is older than 6yrs defo on the way out.................