When my 200 is on full lock, or close to it, it seems to try to "skip out". The best way I can describe it is that it feels like a RWD car pushing the front wheels in a straight line while you're trying to turn. Sometimes is even looses grip, jumps, moves a little further then looses grip and jumps again. I'm only just moving and not doing anything stupid.

Also, as a side note I've noticed that on full lock it's as if the car is applying it's brakes. The car won't roll. It physically stops itself. Does this help shed any light on the situation? Or, is it in the Rover design in order to tighten the turning circle?

Cheers

you shouldnt use full lock on a car with power steering, it puts too much strain on the pump, make sure the belts are tight (i'm sure its auto tightening though) and the fluid it at the correct level.

I know if you put mine on full lock the wheel twitches for you to turn opposite direction?

Not meant to use full lock? You're having a laugh, right? I appreciate it does put more load on the pump but it would be a very badly designed car that had "Do not use full lock in this car" in the owners handbook. LOL!!

Sorry, I meant the road wheels are jumping. It's like the car wants to go straight on when I want it to turn.

Belt replaced last week (not an auto tensioner on mine). Power steering fluid level between the 2 marks on the reservoir.

sounds to me that your tracking could be a mile out mate, get it checked.

you got any uneven tyre wear???

Tracking isn't spot on, but it's hardly noticable. Gussing the thing just needs a good service and a check over.

Cheers Si.

it'll either be rack allignment or CV gone, as its jerking. Rubbing on the arch sounds like a scrape before it turns into a jump.
Steve

It will, if done daily, wear out a PS pump holding it on full lock.... the pump tries continually to turn "over" full lock...

The symptoms you have... does it happen on "almost" full lock? Does it happen on both left and right lock?

I don't understand, why would putting the car on full lock put any more strain on the pump than turning the steering wheel at any other time?
If the wheel stops turning the pump stops pumping. I can't see it being any different to turning and holding the steering wheel in one position while moving slowly.
Sounds like a daft old wives tale to me. I'm sure if it was the case then manufacturers would incorporate some sort of safety mechanism to prevent premature wear on the pump.

I drive a forklift at work and even though it's electric I should imagine the Power steering works a similar way as a car power steering.
I HAVE to use full lock many many times a day from one side to the other and these things really take a good hammering and never have I heard of the power steering failing.
Some of these trucks are many years old.

Hold your car on full lock... and listen to the noise....

it'll either be rack allignment or CV gone, as its jerking. Rubbing on the arch sounds like a scrape before it turns into a jump.
Steve

I'll get the tracking checked out, cheers.

Don't the CV joints click on full lock if worn? Nothing like that happening.

Car is completely standard as far as I can see, so I doubt it'll be the wheels scraping.

Cheers

Hold your car on full lock... and listen to the noise....

I will, I have to do it everyday otherwise I can't get out of my street, but I can't say I've ever noticed anything straining.

When you reach full lock or try to turn the wheel against a high kerb, the pressure relief valve in the pump dumps the excess pressure back to the pump inlet, hence the noise. The only danger is running at this condition for a long time in which case the oil would overheat. But you wouldn't would you?

When you reach full lock or try to turn the wheel against a high kerb, the pressure relief valve in the pump dumps the excess pressure back to the pump inlet, hence the noise. The only danger is running at this condition for a long time in which case the oil would overheat. But you wouldn't would you?

So basically your saying it's safe to use full lock? What you say makes sense to me.

Agreed, it is safe to use full lock, as long as it is for a short period only, eg whilst parking.