Could somebody please identify this leak? Power steering reservoir has dropped about an inch below minimum over the last month.

Click image to enlarge

Click image to enlarge

That's the Servotronic valve, I think. 2012 SDV6 - it's missing a couple of cylinders
2008 TDV8 - it was a labour of love and is much missed

Cheers RRSTDV8.

Any idea whether there's a seal behind the plate where the pipes enter which could be causing the leak?...don't wanna take it off to look if it's gonna fluid out everywhere.

As for the UJ- just given it a good dowsing of wd 40 lube spray and taken her for a drive but it hasn't really improved the heavy, notchy steering- could the UJ be beyond a temporary lubrication? I've also topped up the fluid.

Whatever the garage did to 'fix' the steering previously it only lasted around 3 weeks.

Michael

Not sure the valve is a serviceable item. The transducer is but that's an electronic item on the rack that controls the valve.

If you bought it from a garage very recently then they should fix it. It could well be a new rack is required. May as well do the lower column too. The column is relatively cheap and is apparently a DIY job (see posts on Disco3). The rack isn't cheap I believe. 2012 SDV6 - it's missing a couple of cylinders
2008 TDV8 - it was a labour of love and is much missed

Thanks,

The dealer that I bought it from doesn't have an in-house garage but uses a garage close to him..... I will not be taking it back there due to other issues....namely the saga that I recently had where he fitted a new handbrake module and shoes only for it to malfunction and not engage the handbrake...that was 3 weeks after he fitted it. He then 'fixed' it again but 3 days later the handbrake stuck on and wouldn't even disengage with the manual release ! He finally released it by cutting the cable and driving it away.... then booked it in to Land Rover to be diagnosed.... He then had to stump up £1300 to Land Rover to get a new module and all associated rear brake items replaced . Touch wood the handbrake has been spot on since.

The dealer I bought the car from (2 and a half months ago) will be paying for whatever is required on the steering as it is something I told him about at the time of buying the vehicle and it hasn't been resolved properly.

Could the servotronic valve be causing the notchy steering?

Cheers, Michael

If it's leaking then I suppose it could cause the notchy steering because the moment it leaks will result in less power steering effect. 2012 SDV6 - it's missing a couple of cylinders
2008 TDV8 - it was a labour of love and is much missed

I managed to get it looked at by a garage this afternoon.... they reckon the UJ is causing the notchy and stiff steering and needs replacing which doesn't surprise me.

As for the leak from the servo valve on the steering rack... they are unsure as to whether the valve is a serviceable item or whether its a job lot including the rack itself- they are making some enquiries.

I'm 95% sure that I've read somewhere within the last few days of trawling this forum that there was a service bulletin regarding the servo valve becoming a serviceable item...or it that just wishful thinking??

Any help greatly appreciated

Michael

Garage has got back to me saying they have been told that a full steering rack is required for a total cost of £1500

So I'm trying to find a second opinion on the matter.....

The dealer that I bought the RRS from will be paying for it to be fixed but the more realistic the price is= less hassle for me to get him to pay up

Michael

My steering rack was replaced under warranty and the price noted on the paperwork is £1173. That is excl VAT but I assume includes labour. There was a surcharge on the part - presumably it's an exchangeable unit. That was at a main dealer.

I see second hand units and recon units are available on line for a few hundred quid. 2012 SDV6 - it's missing a couple of cylinders
2008 TDV8 - it was a labour of love and is much missed

Bit of good news...The leak has been fixed and all it cost was £70! New o rings to the pipes that enter the servo valve and refilled the power steering fluid. Also cleaned and greased the steering UJ - he didn't think the UJ needed replacing as he thought it was in good condition.

This has resolved the heavy steering issue but he did say that the power steering oil was black and it may require a new pump further down the line if the steering returns to being heavy (and if it's not the UJ)... has anybody had a new steering pump replaced and if so how much would it cost?

He's also quoted me for a service which includes the following;
Oil and oil filter, fuel filter, air filter, usual checks, service the front Brembo's, front and rear diff oils and transfer box oil. £360 all in.

He's a 1 man independent mechanic who's worked on Land Rovers for the last 25yrs+ and he's in the next village to me

Cheers, Michael

Excellent news. I wasn't sure the rack was serviceable but it obviously is in part. A great outcome.  2012 SDV6 - it's missing a couple of cylinders
2008 TDV8 - it was a labour of love and is much missed

Cheers for your input on the subject RRSTDV8

Next thing is finding out how much of a swine it is to fit a new steering pump if it fails further down the line. I will be contacting the dealer tomorrow with my findings and to suggest they pay for a new pump to save further possible troubles !

I had a new power steering pump fitted under warranty a few weeks ago. I think it's a good couple of hours' work. 2012 SDV6 - it's missing a couple of cylinders
2008 TDV8 - it was a labour of love and is much missed