Just had my 2007 for service and MOT.
I knew the steering was feeling funny and it failed MOT for inoperative power steering.
I had already changed the power steering reservoir with no improvement.
They checked the pump and decided it was a knackered Steering Rack.
New rack fitted and feels like a new car  2002 Honda VFR800
2002 Toyota Celica 140 Silver (mid life crisis - again!)
2007 FL2 GS Manual Army Reconnaissance Green + freel2.com sticker
2004 Toyota Celica 140 Black - Gone
2000 Toyota Celica 140 Silver - Gone
1998 Toyota Celica ST Pearl Green - Gone
1996 Nissan Primera 1.6 - Gone
1994 Rover Montego 1.6 Auto - Gone

Sorry to here of your problem, but glad you got it sorted.

Did you DIY it? Now at the point when I learn something new something old is lost out the other side !
Now retired so it doesn't matter anymore.
Freelander now gone.

Thanks for sharing

I am wondering if you have worn out the rack

The early LR2 did suffer from early failures due to welding FOD (Foreign Object Damage)

How many miles did you get out of your first steering rack

Did you change the reservoir (before the MOT failed your LR2)

Did you change the fluid (before the MOT failed your LR2)


My 2008 is still on the original rack but I did change the fluid and reservoir around 50,000 miles. And the fluid again at 100K.

I am at 125,000 miles.

The Hydraulic fluid will Oxidize and lose effectiveness over time just like the fluid in my Automatic Transmission which I’ve done a partial change on several times over the last 12 years (only half the fluid drains out which is why I say partial)


Any Maintenance history that you can share would be helpful to others with newer LR2s so that they can get out in front of this failure mode.

Take care

Paul

Hi guys, i changed the reservoir and fluid (stage 1 ) myself but it made no difference!

My 2007 FL2 us currently on 183,500 miles. I've own since it was 4.

It had the mega service at 10 years/150,000 miles which weirdly coincided. I can't positively answer when fluid gas been changed over the years.

When it was time for the power steering pump i knew well enough to leave to the professionals. They ordered a new pump but before fitting they tried a strength test and assessed the pump was fine. Told me it was going to be a new rack! They didn't need the new pump.

I can honestly say i can't believe how light the steering is now, i don't think it was ever like that while i've been the owner. (Bought with 64,000 miles) 2002 Honda VFR800
2002 Toyota Celica 140 Silver (mid life crisis - again!)
2007 FL2 GS Manual Army Reconnaissance Green + freel2.com sticker
2004 Toyota Celica 140 Black - Gone
2000 Toyota Celica 140 Silver - Gone
1998 Toyota Celica ST Pearl Green - Gone
1996 Nissan Primera 1.6 - Gone
1994 Rover Montego 1.6 Auto - Gone

Simon,

It does seem that your steering rack reached it useful life.

I do think that changing the Reservoir (Screen filter) and fluid will extend the life of the rack and pump.


I will agree that Land Rover didn't do a good job of informing us that this should be done (and Volvo can take some of the blame because they were influential in the development and selection of parts under the Premier Automotive Group)

Note: I own a LR2 2008 and a S80 2010 both 3.2s with identical power steering systems as far as I can tell.


One last thought at 50,000 miles when I change the reservoir and the fluid (first change) my wife noticed the change.

I know that you've never met my wife but believe me if she notice then the change was a significant improvement.

Good luck with your LR2


Take care

Paul

Hi,

It seems that fluid and reservoir change didn't also work for me.

Yesterday my pump failed all of a sudden. Now I will have to change both the rack and the pump.

It was also somewhere on this forum again I read previously that the new steering rack was updated so that it doesn't have the welding faults. The question is, how can I make sure that I'm buying the new / modified / flawless rack?

Another question, if I may, is it possible to rebuild a faulty pump? As far as I'm concerned, it is a Hitachi product, and the propellers, or rotors-I dont know what they are called- should be changable. Is there anyone who rebuilt the power steering pump?

BTW, mine is a 2010 Select at 210k kilometers.