Delica Canada | Mitsubishi Van Club

all of a sudden my steering feels kinda stiff. I notice it most driving curvy roads. topped up the power steering fluid and that didn't help. the belt to the pump is tight.

what else should i look for...

Martin

When I have this problem it's because something is physically impeding the turning.

Examples I have had:

INSIDE THE DELICA: A string lanyard for my key chain that I laid over top of the steering wheel so it wouldnt dangle in my feet, it wrapped around the steering column hiding in the crack. Next a small plastic toy thing slid down inside the steering wheel column from my dash, and sat inside atop the steering column just under the dashboard, hiding, long tweezers from the first aid kit got that out.

TIRES: my mud flap once got twisted into the tire, affected more on turns in one direction than the other. Flat tire, it's hard to tell if one tire is really low as the sidewalls are very strong so keeps the profile appearance. Wheel nuts all torqued OK (read Patty's story of how his tire fell off).

TIRE WELLS: Check inside the wheel well for a stick or crud inside. Kinda stick your head or a mirror over top of the tires, then lie underneath and look up (had bit of muddy bark mulch there). Give the tire wells a rinse out just in case.

FLUID: Done any mods to cause the hydraulic line to kink? How much was the fluid down ? I have usually found loss of fluid gives spongy easy steering.

BALL JOINTS : grab hold, jiggle up down, right left, might hear clunk. should be little freeplay.

SHOCKS, ENGINE MOUNTS, and all those other rubber bits. Torsion Bars etc. Does your van sit level (measure from ground to centre of each of the wheel flare arch centre, should be same height). Maybe something has dropped front end downwards.

Does it change at low speed vs high speed? Cold engine vs hot? Turning left vs turning right? Tight turn with wheels locked vs wheels gently turning? any difference with braking? NOISE?

MAJOR MECHANICAL: Steering pulley belt, box, etc. Phone CVI Automotive in Richmond ask Butch or Edwin.

Come to the meet this Friday Evening in North Van and ask the group.

Good Luck, Christine.

usually stiff steering/braking (when it comes to hydraulic systems) is related to moisture/water in the lines. If it's not something structural like suggested above, then is more than likely time to bleed your steering system. The fluid is probably degraded over time and contains moisture/water.
Steve