Power Steering heavy most the time/lumpy weight when parking

[StuVelly]

Morning All.

So, Ive finally got her!! 6.5 months from sayin 'I will' . It was worth the weight. I now have a 3.5v6 2011 modelista in White. VL 4x4.

Ive just one issue and that is the steering is HEAVY!. Even going round small islands it feels like you are having to really hold it in the bend. Then, I have just parked it at work and gone from full lock left to full lock right and it felt heavy, then bursts of very heavy pressure if that makes sense?

I have a 2007 elgrand (excuse my language) which has feather light steering. I cant see that this is how the Vellfire is suppose to be. Im no weed and yet Im shocked at the weight of it.

Other than checking PS Fluid, tyre pressures, what else could you suggest I have a look/looked at please? I cannot hear any noises and the car drives dead plumb with no pulling left or right.

Many thanks for any advice.

 

UPDATE, After watching a 2018 with steering manlfunction due to poor battery, Im going to change the battery out first as it has been sat for 6.5 months! Chances are this might be the issue. Fingers crossed and will update ASAP!!

 

Cheers

 

Stu

 

 

Edited October 9, 2023 by StuVelly

[Rojie]

1 hour ago, StuVelly said:

Morning All.

So, Ive finally got her!! 6.5 months from sayin 'I will' . It was worth the weight. I now have a 3.5v6 2011 modelista in White. VL 4x4.

Ive just one issue and that is the steering is HEAVY!. Even going round small islands it feels like you are having to really hold it in the bend. Then, I have just parked it at work and gone from full lock left to full lock right and it felt heavy, then bursts of very heavy pressure if that makes sense?

I have a 2007 elgrand (excuse my language) which has feather light steering. I cant see that this is how the Vellfire is suppose to be. Im no weed and yet Im shocked at the weight of it.

Other than checking PS Fluid, tyre pressures, what else could you suggest I have a look/looked at please? I cannot hear any noises and the car drives dead plumb with no pulling left or right.

Many thanks for any advice.

 

UPDATE, After watching a 2018 with steering manlfunction due to poor battery, Im going to change the battery out first as it has been sat for 6.5 months! Chances are this might be the issue. Fingers crossed and will update ASAP!!

 

Cheers

 

Stu

 

 

 

Hello Stuart,

 

Welcome to the Forum.

 

I wish I had a pound for every time I have advised members to ensure their 12v starter battery remains fully charged at all times.

 

Keep your 'old battery' as a spare and keep in under trickle charge

[StuVelly]

4 minutes ago, Rojie said:

 

Hello Stuart,

 

Welcome to the Forum.

 

I wish I had a pound for every time I have advised members to ensure their 12v starter battery remains fully charged at all times.

 

Keep your 'old battery' as a spare and keep in under trickle charge

Hi. Thanks a lot. 
haha I tried too. I really tried to find a thread on hear about heavy steering and went out to the van only to find no fluid pot. So my brain switched 😂. 
thanks again and I’ll report back but I’m confident it’ll make a difference. 
stu. 

[Rojie]

43 minutes ago, StuVelly said:

Hi. Thanks a lot. 
haha I tried too. I really tried to find a thread on hear about heavy steering and went out to the van only to find no fluid pot. So my brain switched 😂. 
thanks again and I’ll report back but I’m confident it’ll make a difference. 
stu. 

 

I read every thread, and do not recall ever having read one about heavy steering.

I have read about worn rack bushes though.

 

If a new battery does not solve the issue, send picasso a PM

[Chris.ac]

20 series is electric power steering - no power steering fluid.

 

has your vehicle had the speedo 'chipped' to convert to miles?, im just trying to think, but if some signal is not correct, and the EPS thinks you are moving, it may be making the steering heavier as intended.

 

It should be really light when parking/stationary, like 1 finger light.

[StuVelly]

15 hours ago, Chris.ac said:

20 series is electric power steering - no power steering fluid.

 

has your vehicle had the speedo 'chipped' to convert to miles?, im just trying to think, but if some signal is not correct, and the EPS thinks you are moving, it may be making the steering heavier as intended.

 

It should be really light when parking/stationary, like 1 finger light.

Hi Chris. 
it has had the speedo converted yes by a guy who does it day in day out so confident that has been done properly. I’m gonna to Chuck a new battery on. That’s very reassuring then the steering wheel should be that light when working correctly. The tyres had 31 in and putting 40 has made a good difference. It’s certainly not 1 finger light. The Ellie is like that and you can tell a big difference. Worst case I know the cost of motor but it’s so squeaky clean in and out and 60k miles I can’t see it needing that. 👍🏼. 
flipping epic motor though. Japans rolls Royce for sure. Everyone ogles it 😎

[StuVelly]

On 10/9/2023 at 1:25 PM, Rojie said:

 

I read every thread, and do not recall ever having read one about heavy steering.

I have read about worn rack bushes though.

 

If a new battery does not solve the issue, send picasso a PM

Hi Roger. Ive not managed a new battery yet but I have discovered that upon doing a full lock using poor driving skills of turning wheel on full lock that the steering is in fact lighter by a decent margain. BUT once you creep forward and turning the wheel like you should when parking etc, its goes stiff and even tight and loose tight loose etc.

 

That to me sounds like a possible speed sensor maybe? Thinking im going faster then I am? Its been chipped to be mph by a reputable guy who does tons of them so my question is, is there a speed sensor somewhere for the steering motor please anyone?

 

Its quite difficult and putting me off the car a bit

 

[Chris.ac]

EPS.pdf

 

Wiring diagram for powersteering,

[Chris.ac]

all 4 wheel speed sensors are fed in, it may be thinking you are in a skid condition.

You really need to connect up diagnostics, techstream preferably, you can then monitor all 4 wheels and the steering angles.

 

Try turning off the VSC (long hold the 'skid' button to the right of steering wheel, whilst parking brake is on with engine running, see if this makes a difference.

 

[Picasso]

Do you know what chip has been fitted because early alphard supposed to be a ckun09 chip alphard 2008 onwards is a canbus chip 

[StuVelly]

16 minutes ago, Chris.ac said:

all 4 wheel speed sensors are fed in, it may be thinking you are in a skid condition.

You really need to connect up diagnostics, techstream preferably, you can then monitor all 4 wheels and the steering angles.

 

Try turning off the VSC (long hold the 'skid' button to the right of steering wheel, whilst parking brake is on with engine running, see if this makes a difference.

 

Brilliant. Thanks for more ideas. I’ve had the battery tested and it’s in good shape so it’s not that. 

FYI the brakes are binding. Baking hot on the front after small run on motorway so I’ll be sorting them asap not sure if that’s contributing. 

[StuVelly]

10 minutes ago, Picasso said:

Do you know what chip has been fitted because early alphard supposed to be a ckun09 chip alphard 2008 onwards is a canbus chip 

I’m pretty sure it’s the canbus chip but will get confirmation. Thanks for responding. Bit deflated after waiting so long and I’ve got these problems but I know they’re not serious. 

[Chris.ac]

7 minutes ago, StuVelly said:

I’m pretty sure it’s the canbus chip but will get confirmation. Thanks for responding. Bit deflated after waiting so long and I’ve got these problems but I know they’re not serious. 

thinking about it, the chip should not matter, if it is wired correctly, as the data into the chip is the original source that is shared to the abs and steering, cruise and engine ecu.

 

your binding brakes are more the concern, as this would definitely affect the ABS speed sensors, it may well be the steering ecu responding as if your wheels have locked and you are in a skid.

[StuVelly]

I’ve noticed I’ve developed some plastic sounding clonks which are high up near the steering wheel like casings are getting caught. Sorry I wore a stupid loud coat for this video! But I am just managing to turn the wheel at crawling speed. 
ps it’s going through me a bit almost dry steering. If I completely dry steer no movement it is lighter. When slightly crawling it’s heavier. I turned anti slid off and it’s the same unfortunately. 
I’m going to invest in the diagnostics and see if I’ve any faults. This isn’t right I’m sure. 

[Rojie]

2 hours ago, StuVelly said:

I’ve noticed I’ve developed some plastic sounding clonks which are high up near the steering wheel like casings are getting caught. Sorry I wore a stupid loud coat for this video! But I am just managing to turn the wheel at crawling speed. 
ps it’s going through me a bit almost dry steering. If I completely dry steer no movement it is lighter. When slightly crawling it’s heavier. I turned anti slid off and it’s the same unfortunately. 
I’m going to invest in the diagnostics and see if I’ve any faults. This isn’t right I’m sure. 

IMG_5980.MOV

 

This rnovie does not run on my PC.

 

I can only agree that binding brakes cannot help your situation.

[StuVelly]

1 minute ago, Rojie said:

 

This rnovie does not run on my PC.

 

I can only agree that bonding brakes cannot help your situation.

Oh sorry roger. Silly iPhone movie format then but it’s a poor video of me turning back and forth and some clonking noises. They don’t sound like bearings and feel anything either through the wheel. 
I’ll get the tech stream and sort brakes and go from there. I Appreciate everyone’s support on here!! 

[Picasso]

Another thing shock top mount bearings these are only plastic if these are worn they would affect your steering as shocks turn when your steering so may be worth checking