Power steering fluid colour

[Tqiattro]

Hi new member but been around for years
Not long ago I purchased a 2016 blackberry highline
My steering is bad when hot
Grindy lock to lock bit noisy etc…
Racks dry
Seems ok when cold
Iv checked my fluid and it’s correct height on dipstick
Do you think it’s clean and ok ?

I’m guessing pumps on its way out so don’t want to try a flush if it’s pointless

Thanks

 

[Sasquatch]

It's not the worst I've seen, but it's inexpensive enough to change.

 

[Tqiattro]

It's not the worst I've seen, but it's inexpensive enough

I was going to flush it but after an inspection I thought is it that bad ? Will it make a difference ?
Should I just replace the pump

 

[Sasquatch]

Should I just replace the pump

Get a stethoscope on it, see if that tells you anything.

Otherwise, start at the least expensive and work your way up. The 6 is prone to rack problems, was revised entirely for the 6.1 with fully electric assistance and no hydraulics - you symptoms do seem more like rack to me, but that's more a gut call. The fluid is so inexpensive it'd be daft not to try it, it might even work.

 

[DXX]

There’s a strainer near the bottom of the PSF reservoir, have a look for debris.
The hydraulic operating pressure will set by the resistance and those tyres are creating more resistance than a pair of stock road tyres.
PSF is slightly dirty but as with any hydraulic system cleanliness is essential so I would renew the PSF, quick easy process, easier with two people.
There does appear to be many issues with the T5 / T6 rack but it must be one of the most abused vehicles on the road when it comes to 1970’s ‘customisation’
Opie Oils can advise you on PSF and with a discount are often the cheapest.

 

[Tqiattro]

Right been out and fluids been changed
Strainer looks really clean
Old fluid in clear bottle looks really dirty so good it’s been changed
Steering feels ok but on locks it’s noisy and wants to pull back (on both locks) and from cold

 

[DXX]

Right been out and fluids been changed
Strainer looks really clean
Old fluid in clear bottle looks really dirty so good it’s been changed
Steering feels ok but on locks it’s noisy and wants to pull back (on both locks) and from cold

On lock the pump pressure relief valve is lifting, normal without hearing your pump.
Try it with both wheels off the ground

 

[Tqiattro]

Shame I cannot add a vid of the noise

 

[Bav]

Shame I cannot add a vid of the noise

If you have a vid, you can post it to YT or other hosting site and then post a link here.

 

[Sasquatch]

What sort of noise? A bit of noise as the pressure relieve valve open in the rack isnt unusual. As Brother Bav suggests, host it elsewhere and link it up here.

 

[Bav]

What sort of noise? A bit of noise as the pressure relieve valve open in the rack isnt unusual. As Brother Bav suggests, host it elsewhere and link it up here.

Amen.

 

[Sasquatch]

S.M.I.B.

 

[Tqiattro]

It’s got bad real bad
Right managed to get all techy with YouTube

First vid is cold
First lock to lock was silent and fine then it started making this wining noise lock to lock.
Then went for a drive got it all hot and this happened in the second vid
Really quite stiff and noisy the whole time
Give it some revs and steering goes lighter but the noise is bad

Second vid

Help !

 

[Tqiattro]

Vids above are wrong way round but you get the idea

 

[DXX]

Not good, what’s the mileage?

 

[DXX]

@Algypan had a similar problem.

 

[Algypan]

This is how mine started on my T5 after a burst pipe ran the pump dry. I replaced pipes and pump multiple times to no avail. Does your pump or the pipes going to and from it get really hot?

So I'm currently in the process of replacing the rack. I'm guessing when it ran dry and I replaced the pipe and pump that it must have pushed debris through the rack. I'm guessing anyway, but seeing as the rack is the only thing that's left to be swapped, it makes sense. A bit annoyed as the rack was replaced last year with a reconditioned one.

Ding ding! Round two!