Disco II SE 2001 Hard to Turn

[discoloco]

Hello all, just got a Disco II SE 2001 in Dec 2010. First ever.

Aside from minor cosmetic/mechanical issues (plus the 3 amigos) which I already dealt with, the truck had been working fine . . . until the weather turned significantly colder in January (I am in NY state).

The Disco II has been getting harder and harder to turn. Not just a bit of an arm effort, it requires a substantial effort nowadays.

I am generally traveling during the week, and just get a chance to drive the truck during the weekends. Have no mechanical experience, but willing to learn and invest some time in the car; already have been doing that.

I already read about (a) checking the fluid level, (b) replacing the ps fluid + adding lucas ps stop leak, (c) replacing the belt. Should I go through these options in any particular order? Should I look at something else?

The ps reservoir has a dual compartment, fluid is amber in color.

 

[joey]

first welcome to the forum.

second... check level is first, second with the Disco running do you see the PS fluid moving in the reservoir?

 

[discoloco]

Liquid was moving in the reservoir, indeed.

Level was low, added lucas ps stop leak plus brought fluid to correct level.

The hard turning stopped, but clearly there is a leak; I have had to add fluid with some frequency. I should be able to check belt and hoses this weekend.

 

[multicar]

start the thing and look under the air intake hose from airbox theres two lines under attached to the steering box probably leaking from front line get both big & little brown o-rings and replace them or you can try to bend the bracket a little to hold more presure on the lines but dont try to over tighten the 10 mil bolt it wont help i just went through the same thing and got o-rings but didnt help looked at bracket and saw that it was bent just a little up so it didnt hold down the lines fully in the box