Steering is screeching and getting locked

[dom14]

I flushed all the oil from power steering unit and filled with new Dex III & Penrite Power Steering Stop Leak.
Looks like it fixed it. Steering is a lot smoother & no more squeaking or jamming.
I'll see how it goes.

[happygu]

Good result Dom ... it sounded like the pump was cavitating and not pumping fluid .... if it does continue i would look at that first

[dom14]

Good result Dom ... it sounded like the pump was cavitating and not pumping fluid .... if it does continue i would look at that first

It was bubbling and frothing a fair bit in the power steering fluid reservoir for some time so I kept turning the steering wheel to cycle the oil and get rid of the cavitation as much as possible. Eventually it stopped squeeling and steering wheel started feeling smooth.
I think stop leak has helped a fair bit as well. It's possible most of the problem(if not all) was caused by bad old power steering fluid in the system. It didn't take lot of oil though. About two thirds of the stop leak bottle(355ml) & about 200ml of Dex III was all it took.
I hope that is ok.

[garett]

it should work for a while. but it may be time to think about getting the pump overhauled if it happens again.

[dom14]

it should work for a while. but it may be time to think about getting the pump overhauled if it happens again.

Yeah, definitely mate. I'm buying an overhaul kit(seal it) from fleabay and will have a go at it.
But, I'm impressed by the immediate results. The steering wheel hasn't been this smooth for years.
I couldn't find Lucas Power Steering Stop Leak, so I went for Penrite one. There was Nulon one as well which was bit cheaper.
Next time, I'll be putting synthetic oil in after the rebuild.