Pajero Owners Club of South Africa

Hi all,

I own a 2001 Did LWB. Recently (about a week after a 4x4 route) my power steering was suddenly gone early morning when I started up the vehicle. After some driving it came back, but still felt a bit stiff. This happened again the following morning. No marked noise on power steering pump, fluid level correct and fluid clear.

I read a suggestion somewhere on the forum to "bleed" possible trapped air by opening the reservoir and turning the steering wheel lock to lock a few times. After doing this the steering felt 100 % for about 4 or 5 days. This morning my steering was down again, this time while driving. It improved if I revved the engine a bit to speed up the pump, but still not feeling right. Took the car in for a service this morning, but would appreciate any suggestions before we replace / recondition the pump.

I also read in a thread about an upgrade on the reservoir on the early models. I just phoned JJ who used to be at Mits Tygerberg - he wasn't aware of common power steering problems or a change in reservoir.

I am willing to give the reservoir a go - does anyone know the part number and if Mitsubishi carries stock ?

Some feedback on the power steering.

Took the vehicle to Power Steering solutions in Stikland. Initial diagnostics with pressure testing showed a problem with the pump. Pump needs to be removed - should know by tomorrow what the exact problem is.

Hi Wessel

Any feedback on the power steering?

Sent from my GT-P6800 using Tapatalk 2

Hi MThompson,

Yes, my steering has been sorted out - sorry for not getting around to feedback sooner.

My symptoms were different to most threads (including yours)- hopefully with a different outcome for you. I had no noise, but gradually worsening intermittent loss of power steering.

Pressure testing on the pump revealed the pump was faulty. On removal and stripping, a shaft fitting was worn (my best explanation of what Jayson showed me). No leaking of fluid. The part is something that probably could have been machined and the pump reconditioned. If only seal kit I would have gone for reconditioning, but I decided to bite the bullet and go for a new Mitsu pump (ouch..)

Anyway, at least my power steering pump should be fit for another 240 000 km. (we have two Hyundai Atos at work, serving their purpose well. Had to recondition one PS pump at around 95000 km. The other car's PS pump went last week at 57 000 km Considering the Pajero pump lasted 100K km longer that the other two together and being used off road says something about Mitsu quality. Interesting enough the standard pump is a KYB pump, same as the standard shocks if I'm not mistaken.

Is power steering failure contagious (and no I'm not the regular driver of all 3 vehicles )

Hi Wessel

Thank you for the feedback. I had a look this morning, fluid level is low, very low. I will have to go and buy fluid tomorrow. I believe it is automatic transmission flui dexron II?

There seems to be a leak on the tank where the top and bottom halves are crimped together. I will fill up and monitor. I realy hope the pump did not get damaged. We are planning to leave for Sodwana on Friday.

What was the cost of a new pump if you don't mind me asking?

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Hi MThompson,

Sodwana, I'm jealous!

I don't know much about mechanics - what I do know is you don't want to let your pump run dry (new pump from dealers is somewhere between 10 and 11K , excl. labour.)

Get professional advice before you leave - pajero is a different animal without power steering.



Hope you manage to sort this out asap. and that you won't have to replace like I had to.

Hi Wessel

Thank you , I will do that.

Regards,