Hello, I have a 05 lr3 4.4 which has a notchy feeling in the steering, which is making it tough to drive. I have flushed the power steering and sprayed wd40 on the steering column joints, but the the notchy feeling is still there.

Is it time to change the power steering pump? Could it be the rack?

Thanks for the input.

 

2005 LR3 140k miles.

I guess I did not explain the problem properly. The steering is stiff, like the truck has No power steering. With the truck jacked up and engine running I turn the steering wheel and the steering will Go then Stop Go Stop Go Stop like it is getting jammed then unjamming then jamming again.

Could it be the steering coloum joint?

 

My guess would be the power steering fluid is low. In the old days when the power steering was a separate belt, the first thing to look at was the condition of the power steering belt. On the 3, it is the long one on the inside that also drives the alternator and air conditioning compressor so probably it is OK.

As such, I would then look at the fluid level in the power steering reservoir. Low fluid level would suggest a leak somewhere or perhaps the level has never been looked at.

If you have to add power steering fluid, recognize that the odds are the fluid is some exotic hard to find fluid - it seems all LR fluids are somehow odd ball.

The specs call for Texaco Cold Climate PAS Fluid 14315, whatever that is. Your friendly LR dealer may even sell you some as long as you bring gold ingots - well it will be priced that way.

The system capacity is 0.9 US quarts which suggests a little bit low is a lot low. The reservoir is under the yellow coloured cap in the left front corner of the engine compartment. There are lines on the plastic of the reservoir. Check the level when the engine is cold and not running.

This is an interesting link re the Texaco Power Assisted Steering (PAS) fluid - you can blame Land Rover as usual for appearing to invent the need for it.

base oil in Texaco PS fluid | ATF, Differential, Trans, Brakes, P/S | Bob Is The Oil Guy

Let us know what you ultimately determine.

 

Royal Purple for the fluid if you go that route. My $$ is on the rack...

 

Thanks again for the replies.

I sprayed the steering column U joint with Rust Check lubricant after spraying the joint with WD40 a day earlier and now the steering wheel turns great.

Cost, $12 for a can of lubricant. Cheap at 20 times the price.

Till next time.

 

The lower shaft u-joint is common. They're not too pricey, or too difficult to replace. Might want to think about getting one, as lubing the joint might only be a temporary fix.

 

Where is this U joint to lubricate?

 

The joint is at the bottom of the steering column.

 

The U joint to be lubricated or replaced is inside your 3 above the brake pedal.

It is not as awful to get at as you might think.

You have to remove that black plastic horizontal sound barrier piece that is just above the pedals, slide the drivers seat full back and slide your head in so to speak.

 

The joint I lubricated is outside under the hood above the steering box. See picture above.
This is the one that gets rusted up.