Can anyone identify this power steering problem on a friends
Escort Cossie:

Driving down the road in a straight line - FINE no problem, feels perfect

As soon as you put some lock on (even if only a few degrees) there is a VERY bad vibration/judder at the steering wheel.....This also happens (with lock on) at parking speeds (2 MPH)......

Also the steering pump is whining

It it MOST likely to be the PUMP or the STEERING RACK??????

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Sounds like no fluid or air in it.

 

check the inner tca bushes for the vibration - as for the fluid and whining pump, check the fluid viscosity - if its to thin it wont be as effective as it's supposed to be

 

I was thinking no fluid, but I'd reckon Doug would have checked that!

 

sounds like a loose belt to me tighten it up

if it still does it maybe a fooked pump steering rack causing pressure i the system

 

BTTT............Update:

Thanks for replies so far, fluid level is fine......

Could a badly freyed (spl) belt cause the above symtoms?????

Belt was tight, but is very poor condition, edges damaged, lots of cracks.

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Sounds like a drive shaft problem to me !

 

Simon it is deffo NOT a drive shaft problem, as when you are manovering at very low speeds with lock on (2 to 4 mph) the front wheels AND steering wheel are juddering/oscillating quite badly

 

Doug, Drive shaft could still do this, even at slow speeds.

One idea is to REMOVE temporarily the drive belt so the power steering does not work.

Then try a few slow manouvers just to see if its still there.

BEWARE - Only run the engine for a max of 30 seconds - 1 minute as the
water pump and alternator will not be running as the escort cos uses one belt for all.

 

tca/ front bush movement had it on a saff of cheeseman put new pollys in sorted !