[ukbiker1000]

Hi All

Since buying my 400 in 2017, the power steering is heavy, I remember 216 gti i have long time was really nice and light enough to enjoy driving. But this 400 not so fun. its just stiff.
-I have changed to tyres, it made very very little improvements.(Tyre PSi is correct)
-Power steering fluid changed with no improvements.

Next steep is all wheels alignment and tracking checked. I am not sure if this will make steering lighter

Does anyone notice this issue, my mate who's had 2 400 rovers said they all have stiff steering. can this be sorted?

Thanks
D

[RoverRevival]

when you put the new ps fluid in, and ran the engine did you see the fluid move actively?

Is the steering at all juddery when going lock to lock or steering quickly?

[ukbiker1000]

After fluid was put in and engine, run, all was ok, mechanic was doing this, so i did not really see or notice fluid move actively. he said process was ok,
driving and turning is smooth, it is just stiff, its like 50% power steering better than non power steering system. All i know for sure is it should be alot lighter than current.

belt is tension is good, everything appears to be working ok, yet this power steering just a little better than having non.
so far i have compared to 3 other rover 416 owned by friends, 2 were just as bad as mine, 3rd one (saloon version was a little better).

D

[The Origina lNom]

Would swapping the two front upper wishbones a la ZS180 to give more camber help ?
that would reduce the size of the tyre contact patch when at a standstill.

[GTiJohn]

Either the pump isn't generating sufficient pressure, the rack is leaking the generated pressure internally without it being used to turn the wheels or something is resisting the forces generated.

The last one is probably the easiest to check - jack the front of the car up, and with the engine off, see if you can move either front wheel from one lock to the other. You should be able to move it fairly easily and smoothly. If not you need to investigate the ball joints first and the steering rack second.

The other two potential problem areas will require some in-line pressure measurements which is a bit tricky.

[ukbiker1000]

I must try something eitherway. shall start with easiest.

D

[Mr Teddy Bear]

My 400 has heavy steering compared to a 216. I've put that down to 15 inch wheels/tyres though! Certainly not unpleasantly heavy imo.

If the power steering isn't working properly it will be really noticeable when parking, especially if you don't have the car moving going from lock to lock!

A manual rack is only really heavy when parking imo, that was with 14" lattice wheels mind, 15" s would be worse I would expect?

[ukbiker1000]

Hi All

Since buying my 400 in 2017, the power steering is heavy, I remember 216 gti i have long time was really nice and light enough to enjoy driving. But this 400 not so fun. its just stiff.
-I have changed to tyres, it made very very little improvements.(Tyre PSi is correct)
-Power steering fluid changed with no improvements.

Next steep is all wheels alignment and tracking checked. I am not sure if this will make steering lighter

Does anyone notice this issue, my mate who's had 2 400 rovers said they all have stiff steering. can this be sorted?

Thanks
D

Update
After long searching for solutions to my power steering stiffness.
I Recently found out that the My rover 416 1999 automatic gearbox and power steering share the same oil. a Mechanic who used work on these cars showed it to under the bonnet. So He said best chance of improving power steering stiffness, If possible to replace gearbox oil and power steering the same time. not just empty power steering fluid container and replace it. so I am going to do this as soon as I can and report back here.

[richard moss]

I find it hard to believe that the PAS and transmission use the same fluid from the same reservoir.

[Johnny 216GSi]

I find it hard to believe that the PAS and transmission use the same fluid from the same reservoir.

If it's a Honda auto, the only fluid they make now it ATF-DW1 which I use on my 216 auto. It's backwards compatible with all older boxes so things like Hondamatic fluid have long since been discontinued.

On the R8, the "generic statement" is that the auto box can be topped up with Dexron-IID specification ATF fluid at a push, but genuine Honda fluid is recommended for long service life.

When you buy the Castrol version of their Dexron-IID ATF fluid, it also says it's suitable for power steering systems and in fact the Rover fluids sheet for my car also says that the PAS system just needs a Dexron-IID spec. fluid.

So if you just assume (note - assume!) the later Honda engines are just one increment on from the D16Z2/A6/A7 with auto box on the R8, then at a push a 400/HH-R auto Honda box and the PAS system can have the same fluids in them, but not if you want a lifetime of use out of your transmission, which most people would want of course.

The key is to consult the recommended fluids sheet for the car. I think Rimmer Bros even publish these now.