Hi Guys,

Any ideas or thoughts would be most appreciated ......

I have a fault with my freelander 2, 57 plate, manual, diesel, 54K ..... No steering noises or steering issues recently. Only recent issue was having to have the connectors to my fuel senders replaced 4 weeks ago.

As I approached a roundabout yesterday evening my steering suddenly went really, really heavy. No prior warning, noises or dash lights. I was just about able to turn the wheel with much difficulty, and managed to pull into a lay-by.

The Breakdown guy took a few mins looking under the bonnet with his torch, and felt around the alternator and power steering pump and said all looked/felt ok, but he felt the alternator belt was slipping or had been stretched?? He removed the belt and handed it to me! No tears, just a few superficial cracks. He suggested driving it home (<1 mile) which I did with great difficulty.

It's been services at Landrover for the past 5 years, and is due its next service this month.

I'm going to get it looked at tomorrow, but wondered if anyone had experienced a similar problem or felt this is likely to be an isolated alternator belt issue (as per the AA guys thoughts!)

Your thoughts and input are most appreciated.

Chris

The alternator belt is unlikely to affect the power steering. There are a number of issues about the filter in the PAS reservoir getting blocked. Have a look at this. I replaced mine for about £20

http://www.freel2.com/forum/topic16822.html

Whilst not likely to be the cause, the belt that drives the alternator also drives the power steering pump, best to check it out as the man said. But it is well documented on here the dreaded PAS filter blockage.