Can anyone throw some light on whats happening with the steering on my car.........please?
Its an EB Series II Fairmont and has had no problems until 2 days ago. I pulled out of a parking spot and noticed the steering was tight. When I straightened the wheel everything appeared to be fine. Turning a left corner, it went tight again and instead of returning to centre itself I had to purposely straighten it up. There is a slight grinding noise coming from somewhere in the column when turning the wheel. The car drives well and theres no sloppiness in the steering.....its just got tight all of a sudden. Amy help is greatly appreciated and urgently needed. If it IS the pump or something like that, will there be any damage if I keep driving it til I can afford to get it fixed, and what sort of cost will be involved?
Thanks a lot for any replies

check the PS belt. it may be loose or something. check the fluid also ti could be low

Thanks for those tips.
I checked the belt and the level and both are fine. There are no leaks anywhere so I didnt think the fluid would be low. Theres only about 1/2 inch of deflection on the belt and it looks fine (ie no cracks or fraying).
Anything else I can try (without having to spend much cash?
Thanks everyone

The pump may be failing, and not delivering enough pressure.

Sorry I don't know if you can have the pressure tested.

Most power steering places would be able to tell you.

Check out this topic link, under "sticky steering"...

http://www.fordmods.com/forums/viewtopi ... y+steering

had the same problem, steering pump would not 'flow' the oil above about 2200rpm, quick fix until i got a new pump was when the steering went hard, give it a big of rev to get the flow going again .

I know what its like, your car hardly steers, and then all of a sudden steers too much!

by the way, did it fix it? I had the same this morning. ROCK HARD steering wheel. was alte to work so had to bus it. Hoping its just the pump?