v5 steering a bit hard?

[JSJW]

Hi guys how u all doin? well I've just bought a 04 bora v5 and first thing I've noticed was the hardness of the steering wheel. It seemed quite hard when going around corners so I was just wondering if this is normal for these cars?
or could it be some power steering pump issue? I haven't yet looked at the fluid level but will tonight...
any thoughts? cheers. Mark.

[kapowww]

Yeah check power steering pump and fluid, tyre pressure.. even might be bad wheel alignment? Probably the power steering pump but if not then start going to the gym.

[JSJW]

Yeah check power steering pump and fluid, tyre pressure.. even might be bad wheel alignment? Probably the power steering pump but if not then start going to the gym.

haha ok mate no worries how much are the pumps? are they expensive to fix?

[kapowww]

haha ok mate no worries how much are the pumps? are they expensive to fix?

Don't know exactly on the Bora but when I needed one replaced in my old Audi it cost $150ish. This was with parts the mechanic found lying around his garage.. Hopefully it's just the fluid..

[balkanac]

not sure about Boras, but on my R32 the steering is fairly harder than other cars. Apprently because of the S3 rack and "sportier" feel. I'd expect boras steering to be lighter, but nowhere near jap/aussie cars. I have found that euro cars have harder steerings than others

[JSJW]

$150's not too bad...hope it's similar with bora's. yeah I think so too euros got heavier steering than the japs...so with your R32, can you turn it with one hand? I can sort of do it but I have to put bit of pressure on to it.

[kapowww]

Euro's definitely have a stiffer/more stable feel to the steering but you can still easily steer with one hand.

[dylan8]

yeah my bora isnt heavy. (can turn the wheel with a finger)
being a V5 it shouldnt be that much heavier due to engine weight. and the V5s arent really classed a sporty car like the r32s, so i can imagine it shouldnt be heavy.
maybe check tyres, alignment, fluids etc as the others said.
dont quote me, but wonder if its worth pulling the fuse on the steering pump to see if it gets even heavier?

[JSJW]

yeah my bora isnt heavy. (can turn the wheel with a finger)
being a V5 it should be that much heavier due to engine weight. and the V5s arent really classed a sporty car like the r32s, so i can imagine it should be heavy.
maybe check tyres, alignment, fluids etc as the others said.
dont quote me, but wonder if its worth pulling the fuse on the steering pump to see if it gets even heavier?

Yeah , I've driven a bora 4 mot and the steering wasn't that hard at all...but my v5 feels a bit heavier and last night on the way home I stopped by a petrol station and pumped up the tyres to about 36psi which I think its ok for a 205/55/r16 tyre.
hmmm yeah definately need to check it out tonight.

[balkanac]

so with your R32, can you turn it with one hand? I can sort of do it but I have to put bit of pressure on to it.

Same. Have to put pressure on it, its a bit hard to do with one hand