So I've had my disco for a month or so - bought it with a blown head gasket and fixed that, been driving it since - put a little over a 1,000 miles on it and it's developed a few new problems in that time.

The one that I'm a little confused on is this steering issue. This just started a few days ago, it was driving just fine before that (no issue at all). Now, when I start the car after it's been sitting for a while, there is barely any PS assist. It seems to "stick" in certain locations as a turn the wheel, i.e. when wheels are straight and I start to turn steering wheel, there is no power assist, then after about 20 degrees rotation I get assist for about 20 degrees, then back to no assist.

As I drive the car it gets better - still a little notchy but less noticeable. If it drive it for a while (like 20 minutes plus) it seems to go away entirely.

I noticed when the vehicle is running the power steering fluid in the reservoir is bubbling pretty heavily. Not like little bubbles, but like a rolling bubble (as if boiling water). I believe this is air as it is like this from the second it starts and stays steady as I drive it. Is this norma??

This is real annoying, and I my first thought was like a u-joint on input shaft or steering knuckle could be binding or something, but like I said this started pretty suddenly and the fact that it gets better as I drive it makes me think it's not a mechanical wear issue like that but something hydraulic maybe.

 

bubbling/gurgling is normal. air in the system is not. I would first try to bleed the box. if you have a leak, you could be letting air in.