Ford Smax Power Steering Issue(Where Does The Fault Lay)

[willwallace]

Hello Group.

I am a proud a loyal owner of a 2007 2Ltr Ford SMax TDI Duratorqe which I have owned from new. Prior to the SMax I owned a stream of fords going back to my ford escort, then Fiesta then Orion then another fiesta then a Mondeo leading upto my Smax, so its safe to say im a bit of a Fordy.

But without a doubt the SMax has been the best family car we have ever owned. Its got loads of room and comfortable, but most of all, its an amazing drive.

Sadly in the last few weeks i have started to experience problems with the power steering.

initially whilst driving and attempting to turn right, i would turn the steering wheel and i could feel what felt like little notch(best way to describe the feeling). but turning left was fine, it only happens when turning right.

Over the last 2 weeks the problem has become worse, and what felt like a notch now sometimes takes some effort to turn. this only happens when turning right though. at a guess it seems as though the switch mechanism which initiates the power support in the steering isnt engaging or something like that. Although the problem doesn't occur all the time , its every now and again.

The problem seemed worse in cold weather in the early days, I have had the belt changed, which a friend suggested may not be driving the pump or alternator properly. This helped for 1 day, but then the problem returned. Someone also suggested it maybe an issue with the pulley on the alternator been rusted or not spinning freely which maybe the problem.

My concern is , which part is likely to be faulty, the pump or the steering rack, or could it be and issue with some switch or sensor or alternator.

I really need to try and minimies costs by identifying where the problem lies rather than replacing many parts until I fix the correct one, as my budget is limited.

The car has only done 48000 miles so im surprised and stumped as all my Fords from day one have been great.

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks in advance

Nyall

[Richardfife]

On 3/28/2014 at 2:57 PM, willwallace said:

I have the exact same problem did you ever find the answer 

 

On 3/28/2014 at 2:57 PM, willwallace said:

Hello Group.

I am a proud a loyal owner of a 2007 2Ltr Ford SMax TDI Duratorqe which I have owned from new. Prior to the SMax I owned a stream of fords going back to my ford escort, then Fiesta then Orion then another fiesta then a Mondeo leading upto my Smax, so its safe to say im a bit of a Fordy.

But without a doubt the SMax has been the best family car we have ever owned. Its got loads of room and comfortable, but most of all, its an amazing drive.

Sadly in the last few weeks i have started to experience problems with the power steering.

initially whilst driving and attempting to turn right, i would turn the steering wheel and i could feel what felt like little notch(best way to describe the feeling). but turning left was fine, it only happens when turning right.

Over the last 2 weeks the problem has become worse, and what felt like a notch now sometimes takes some effort to turn. this only happens when turning right though. at a guess it seems as though the switch mechanism which initiates the power support in the steering isnt engaging or something like that. Although the problem doesn't occur all the time , its every now and again.

The problem seemed worse in cold weather in the early days, I have had the belt changed, which a friend suggested may not be driving the pump or alternator properly. This helped for 1 day, but then the problem returned. Someone also suggested it maybe an issue with the pulley on the alternator been rusted or not spinning freely which maybe the problem.

My concern is , which part is likely to be faulty, the pump or the steering rack, or could it be and issue with some switch or sensor or alternator.

I really need to try and minimies costs by identifying where the problem lies rather than replacing many parts until I fix the correct one, as my budget is limited.

The car has only done 48000 miles so im surprised and stumped as all my Fords from day one have been great.

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks in advance

Nyall

I have the exact same problem now did you ever get to the bottom of the problem?

[RepsolUK]

belt slipping? Of their is no oil loss? 

[Andy1984]

Did anyone find a fix to this issue as I've now got the same issue 

[unofix]

Well its 7 years since the original post and in all that time not a single answer.

😟

[JonHill]

2023 - also now have this issue !

[unofix]

Well its 8 years since the original post and in all that time still not a single answer. 🤣