Ford Focus 02 loss of power steering and leaking

AnnRo

Hi

I have a Ford Focus 02 - this morning on the way to work it was making a funny noise. Started again on the way home (only live 1.5 miles). But as I was turning into estate, I noticed the steering becoming very difficult to move - brought me back to my first car - 1983 ford fiesta with no power steering. Noticed when I got out of the car after backing into driveway that there was a big puddle of oil (i guess) - colored with the rain. Power steering is now gone.

Any idea what's wrong before I ring garage in the morning. So hoping its a simple fix. The car has 103000 miles on it.

Thanks

Plug

The pump or rack could be at fault. More so the pump.

Drummerboy08

That generation Focus does give issues with the pump alright.

Lcronin2011

The power steering fluid is leeking! happened to my car, had to have it towed from cork to bandon as the gargage said it is really dangerous to drive when power steering goes like that! Driving it could cause more problems
http://autorepair.about.com/od/regularmaintenance/a/steer_fld_ck.htm !!

ORVEE

Probably the power steering pipe going from the pump to the steering rack has failed. It normally leak's where the pipe enter's the pump.

Plug

ORVEE wrote: »

Probably the power steering pipe going from the pump to the steering rack has failed. It normally leak's where the pipe enter's the pump.

Thats from 05 onwards.

Dilbert75

On our Citroen Xsara Picasso, we had a similar thing. Initially kept topping up the PS fluid until it became intolerable. Thought it was hoses, or the pump/rack, both expensive jobs.

Turned out there is a pipe from the reservoir to the pump which acts like a radiator - it loops down behind the bumper. It was clipped into place but had popped out of the clip and was chafing against something. A flat had worn on the back of the (aluminium) pipe and it had worn through - starting with a weep, into full flow. DIY replacement of pipe with original replacement from Citroen dealer and its been fine since. If you let the pump run dry though I think it can cause problems.

Suggest you start by identifying exactly which end of the engine bay the fluid is coming from. You may need to remove an undertray to do that. If its really pouring out, it should be readily visible, especially if you can put paper down underneath while turning the wheels left to right (make sure the reservoir is topped up first).

AnnRo

thanks for all your replies.

will ring the garage first tomorrow to see what they say

hoping to not get a heart attack with the price - tax due next month !!

thanks again

AnnRo

The problem was a power steering switch - 35 euro for part, 75 euro to fit and they had to fill with power steering fluid. They said I was lucky that it wasn't a newer model - models later than 02 usually have pump problems.