Peugeot 205 power steering mystery?

[jerrytug]

If it has the wrong pump for the rack it is possible the bypass valve is set to too high a pressure for the rack so it never bypasses....

Yes indeed it very likely has the wrong pump for the rack, being such a bitsa.
It certainly doesn't feel as though it left the Peugeot factory like this, but until now I had been blaming it on the retro-fitted Saxo VTS 14" alloys and matching set of Shanghai Squidgemasters.
It's reasonably high geared, as in about 3 turns lock to lock, I am wondering if the mis-match could be in the travel. All 205 PAS set-ups are meant to be 3.2 turns lock to lock, (manual 3.8) but there's a Citroen Xsara one which is 2.8 allegedly.
PAS feels a bit flaccid near the centre of travel, there's no break-out stiction but it doesn't feel as crisp as it ought, having driven a standard GTi; but it feels very clear tight and precise when you are loaded up a bit with lateral forces going round a bend.
Thanks for all the helpful suggestions, you have given me food for thought....or should I say a 3-course Sunday dinner

 

[jerrytug]

A popular pas upgrade on a 205 is to ditch the belt drive pump & fit an electric one from a 106 or saxo. It fits neatly behind the battery & is a lot more efficient.

Highly interesting tip mucho appreciado

 

[Turbo]

It's reasonably high geared, as in about 3 turns lock to lock, I am wondering if the mis-match could be in the travel. All 205 PAS set-ups are meant to be 3.2 turns lock to lock, (manual 3.8) but there's a Citroen Xsara one which is 2.8 allegedly.
PAS feels a bit flaccid near the centre of travel, there's no break-out stiction but it doesn't feel as crisp as it ought, having driven a standard GTi; but it feels very clear tight and precise when you are loaded up a bit with lateral forces going round a bend.

As with most cars of that era the 205 PAS was a bit too much giving a light steering devoid of much feel.

I have a 3.2 ratio PAS rack in my 205 MI16 track car but there's no room for the pump with the MI engine. Once moving its ok but maneuvering in a car park on slick tyres is a bit hard on the biceps! I have one of the rare phase 1 Xsara VTS racks which are 2.4 turns, the lowest geared standard rack that fits a 205 plus a Saxo electric PAS pump to drive it, they will be fitted whenever I'm able to get back to my motorsport.

 

[jerrytug]

As with most cars of that era the 205 PAS was a bit too much giving a light steering devoid of much feel.

I have a 3.2 ratio PAS rack in my 205 MI16 track car but there's no room for the pump with the MI engine. Once moving its ok but maneuvering in a car park on slick tyres is a bit hard on the biceps! I have one of the rare phase 1 Xsara VTS racks which are 2.4 turns, the lowest geared standard rack that fits a 205 plus a Saxo electric PAS pump to drive it, they will be fitted whenever I'm able to get back to my motorsport.

Thanks for the info Turbo, it is handy to know what models have the good bits; that last combination sounds great fun!!

 

[Danez]

A 205 with PAS seems so alien/wrong to me, didn't even realise some had it!

 

[jerrytug]

A 205 with PAS seems so alien/wrong to me, didn't even realise some had it!

I get you, but: The higher geared rack fitted as standard to PAS models is something I personally like.
I don't like tiny cars which need the wheel constantly winding like a Routemaster bus. Eg Metros.
I never drive on the straight and level, and I enjoy changing lateral G-forces in a snappy manner.
I might be getting an old banger 205 next week with no PAS, it will be interesting to compare them side by side.

 

[Danez]

I get you, but: The higher geared rack fitted as standard to PAS models is something I personally like.
I don't like tiny cars which need the wheel constantly winding like a Routemaster bus. Eg Metros.
I never drive on the straight and level, and I enjoy changing lateral G-forces in a snappy manner.
I might be getting an old banger 205 next week with no PAS, it will be interesting to compare them side by side.

Yeah I've never tried the PAS one but I imagine it is nice in it's own way.

I'm currently driving a 21 plate audi on hire and the power steering in that compared to what i usually drive in the 306 is insane. After jumping back into the 306 after a couple weeks of being spoilt with the audis steering your routemaster comment really does make sense!

 

[Turbo]

A 205 with PAS seems so alien/wrong to me, didn't even realise some had it!

It wasn't fitted to many models, usually only the higher spec diesels like the Gentry & Dturbo. I had a Dturbo for a short while & it was a real hoot to drive with full GTI suspension & a torquey turbo diesel engine. Embarrassed more than one SR Nova in it!

 

[Melvyn Best]

Using talcum powder on the belt will temporarily stop any squeal, a quick and easy way to test

 

[PhillipM]

A 205 with PAS seems so alien/wrong to me, didn't even realise some had it!

Could say the same for the 306