Hello all, just got a Disco II SE 2001 in Dec 2010. First ever.

Aside from minor cosmetic/mechanical issues (plus the 3 amigos) which I already dealt with, the truck had been working fine . . . until the weather turned significantly colder in January (I am in NY state).

The Disco II has been getting harder and harder to turn. Not just a bit of an arm effort, it requires a substantial effort nowadays.

I am generally traveling during the week, and just get a chance to drive the truck during the weekends. Have no mechanical experience, but willing to learn and invest some time in the car; already have been doing that.

I already read about (a) checking the fluid level, (b) replacing the ps fluid + adding lucas ps stop leak, (c) replacing the belt. Should I go through these options in any particular order? Should I look at something else?

The ps reservoir has a dual compartment, fluid is amber in color.

 

Is there any noise when you try to turn the truck?

 

If that is the case, it is probably the PS system:
1. Top it off, wash the undercarriage well and try to find where the leak is coming from. If it is a hose, replace said hose, both are pretty easy to locate and change out.
If the leak is coming from the pump, you would want to try the stop leak route first to solve the problem, and you want to do this with fresh PS fluid, so you get three quarts or a gallon of PS fluid, get a turkey baster, and you suck as much fluid out as possible from the reservoir , refill with fresh fluid, and turn the truck on and turn the wheels as far to the right and as far to the left as possible and let run a few minutes, turn off, suck out fluid, ect, repeat process 3 times. The follow the instructions on the WHITE SHEPHERD PS stop leak (dont use any other PS stop leaks) and add with fresh PS fluid. Then you drive or run the car for around 2 hours.

If this does not stop the problem, you buy a remanufactured PS pump from Rock Auto (best price and mine has worked really well) and replace the pump.