Steering issue/resistance

[mcouchard]

Hi intermitant problem with the steering on my V60, had a knackered control arm replaced and 4 wheel tracking done and it hasn't cured it.

When turning the steering wheel sometimes especialy from cold I can get alot of resistance to steering initially but not always and then it just turns fine the issue arises at varing speeds nothing obviously wrong to the eye on the suspension and the only issue at MOT 3 weeks ago was the n/s control arm I had replaced. Could it be a broken front spring again not obvious either, as I have checked all but coil ends can be deceptive.

Power steering fluid is correct level, not sure if it has been changed though.

Bad tyres?

It is quite off putting when drving to the point I haven't got my wife to drive it yet. Its more than like a delay in power steering assistance as it can be real resistance to steering only in the first 1/4 of a turn of the steering wheel then its fine.

But as I say it is intermittant that makes me thing it is more to do with the position of the wheel/perhaps spring moving in the cup if it is damaged etc. It maybe when the clutch is depressed if that could have any impact?

[GreenBrick]

I would jack both front wheels up and steer it with the engine off and see if there is any physical resistance in one place in particular. It should be easy to steer from lock to lock with no weight on it.
If you really want to be sure, take off the track rod ends off the struts and see if each strut turns freely. And while off, try the steering to see if the rack is stiff in one place with nothing connected, probably shouldn't do that with the engine running, just in case.
So basically a process of elimination.

[rxtian]

Because it’s so much cheaper than any other option it’s worth speculatively replacing the fluid. Our C30 started feeling occasionally odd when steering quickly but changing the fluid cured it and it’s been 4+ years without coming back. I just got some cheap giant syringes to suck the old fluid out the reservoir.

[Kev0607]

Could be worn strut mounts. They can "bind" up, which makes the steering feel notchy.

[V60white]

Definetly worth checking those top mounts..I have had the notchy steering, stiff, none ps type feel to.

Bust top mount on the offside along with destroyed bumpstop...

Also, as said, a ps fluid change definitely helps if it looks black and bitty !!

[mcouchard]

Thanks all I changed the power steering fluid today and is much better already. As you can see in the photo it was much darker than it initially looked in the reservoir.

[mcouchard]

Originally Posted by mcouchard

Thanks all I changed the power steering fluid today and is much better already. As you can see in the photo it was much darker than it initially looked in the reservoir.

It appears that only worked for a couple of days now worse than ever getting very difficult to drive. So changed the fluid a second time today and just as dirty as the first see photo larger jar first change. I am putting the tube down the hole in the reservoir each time to pull as much out as possible. It's booked into a specialist in a week unfortunately can't get it in my garage easily to jack up as it's too wide and driveway is a slope.

[V60white]

Originally Posted by mcouchard

It appears that only worked for a couple of days now worse than ever getting very difficult to drive. So changed the fluid a second time today and just as dirty as the first see photo larger jar first change. I am putting the tube down the hole in the reservoir each time to pull as much out as possible. It's booked into a specialist in a week unfortunately can't get it in my garage easily to jack up as it's too wide and driveway is a slope.

That's a nuisance, if the partial fluid change did in fact work but for only a short while then a complete flush from the rack would be a good option.
Having said that getting it on a ramp , front wheels hanging free , would give you an idea if something mechanical is causing the problem, like the top suspension mounts as previously discussed or a steering shaft problem.

Can you hear anything as you turn the steering, noise, banging, spring sounds at all ?

[Chrispynuts]

Sounds like the electric hydraulic pump is on its way out , intermitent fault ?

[mcouchard]

An update unfortunately it was the steering rack that is faulty, the specialist has been very good and gave me time to call round and I managed to sourced a 2nd hand one to go it in it to cut the costs as it would have been over £900 just parts for a new genuine Volvo steering rack, where as 2nd hand part was £165.

Will update when it is back but waiting on deliveries etc now so will stay at garage into next week.