A rather odd feeling!

[HarryD]

After a rather non eventful week (with no more alternator probs) , I loaded the 300tdi auto Disco with wife and dogs, started moving forward on the drive and felt a decidedly odd feeling in the steering. It felt like either a flat on the front or a partial lack of steering fluid. Being halfway down the inclined drive I gingerly let it roll forward some more and after a few hundred yards being driven on the public road, it seemed to rectify itself.
Half a mile away after no adverse effects we stopped and there was a smell of burning/burnt rubber but there was no evidence otherwise of any problems. I looked it over at the forest car park and could see nothing wrong., all levels up too. All wheels were cool and there was no smoke evident. It drove home ok.
Tried the steering on the drive this morning, no apparent problems.
Any ideas anyone? Anywhere I should look?
No wet patches on the driveway either.

Harry

[si_guru]

Power steering belt slipping when cold?

[HarryD]

Power steering belt slipping when cold?
Yup, that was my first thought but there was no noise from the belt.
It was pretty cold right enough and even colder today.
I hope it was that as it would be the best answer having spent enough money recently.
I'll keep an eye on it. I'm about to go for a little run in it just to check it out.

[TEMPL4R]

Smell of burning rubber does indicate the belt slipping. Whip it off and spin the tensioner, alternator and water pump for bearing noise or lumpiness.

[HarryD]

Drove it, all was fine.
Checked all spinning bits and all fine. Will keep an eye on it.

[Mogwyth]

Had a simular thing on my 110, happened maybe 1 in 10 journeys, couldn't find any obvious cause, changed belt not ocurred agian.

[TEMPL4R]

Have a look at the grooves on the belt, they should be flat topped. If they are pointed and shiney, it will be worn and slipping.

Serpentine belts don't grip as well as Vees when they wear, they rely on tension. A vee grips on it's sides, it is worn when it goes further down the pulley Vee.

[HarryD]

Been a few days now since this "incident" with no recurrence. Garage (Leng) suggested it may have been caused by the cold in as much as the fluid was affected. Admittedly I hadnt let the car tick over for a few minutes and it WAS very cold that day. lesson learned.