New to S60- the power steering!!!

[mchell]

Hello all,

My first entry in this forum!!!

I bought a s60 with 84k on the clock.

The power steering issues!!!!

Its a weird thing. First thing in the morning, everything freezing cold, power steering can be turned with the pinky, one finger, from a standstill.

After a few moments (within a 1 min) the power steering feels heavy when moving slowly or from a standstill, not impossible to turn, but certainly heavier compared when first started the engine.

From ALL the experience in from you guys with power steering issues, what could be this cause by?

The Steering fluid in in the correct level. I still have the old type of power steering reservoir (with the orange cap). its visible a few stains of leakage on the rack, also on the back of the steering pump pulley. but they seem old and not progressing, i.e., increasing.
Have noticed that after a drive (a few miles) if I uncap the steering reservoir cap, there’s a slight release of pressure. Also, there’s always a noticeable moisty area around the cap itself and the reservoir seam.

Regarding the hoses, all of them have jubilee clips, (from rack to reservoir, from reservoir to pump).

Also have noticed putting my finger inside the reservoir there’s is a kind of levered pipe that its loose (seems to be in tandem with the rack return hose). What is this? On the youtube FCP Euro video on replacing the reservoir the guy points out to this very same pipe/lever, but why is it loose? Whats its purpose?

I'm planning to replace it (easy/fair job) and renew fluid. Would this address the issue or i'm just throwing money out of the window?


Cheers

[b1mcp]

Are you sure it is pressure build up or could it be vacuum?

I'm guessing at this as no experience of your system, but AFAIK all fluid PAS systems are vented through the cap (or somewhere else).

Could be your vent is blocked. Overnight the pressure equalises so works fine for a minute when you start up, but as the PAS pump draws fluid out, creates a vacuum and then it's harder for the pump to pull the fluid and get it to the rack. Just a thought.


Next time you start from cold, take the cap off first and see if it works normally.

[mchell]

Ok. Thanks for the reply.

Actually it's a good point you make. if the system creates pressure that might be just it. Have to try turning the steering wheel with the cap off. But I'm sure it's pressure not vacuum because when I remove the cap there's some little droplets/mist of oil comming out around it. By the way, oil level ok when checked cold or hot, right on the marks.

When say vent might be blocked you mean at the cap itself? Or is there some other vent in the system?

Cheers

[oragex]

It's a good idea to replace your reservoir, with the newer type with both hoses at the bottom - you will need to get the corresponding hose to to the pump (different shape) https://www.ebay.com/itm/One-New-Gen...-/273375950078

We use Pentosin fluid. To replace the reservoir, bring a large thick old towel to cover everything underneath, lift the reservoir from the coolant reservoir (use a swiss knife to detach the upper clip) - if you also lift the coolant one, disconnect first the sensor plug underneath. Once liften, tilt and drain the steering reservoir, then may put back the cap tight, keep it upside down, and undo the hose to the pump.

Once the engine running it will take a few turns for the system to burp.

For the hard steering, do you see a wire from where the actual rack is located, near the coupler from the steering column ? (may turn the front wheel to full lock to see)

[mchell]

Thanks for the reply oragex.

I as I point it out, I'm planning to replace the reservoir and oil with the ch11. The one in the reservoir is not that dirty, but suspect has been there since ever so it's an easy replacement.

Regarding the wire you refer to comming.from near the coupler I have no idea. But regarding that coupler I've read that it's good to lubricate the coupler to see if the hard steering would be addressed. But I did and no change.

So I guess a new.reservoir bottle and.fluid is.my next step.

Also forgot to mention on previous threads, no weird noises from Pas pump, so would rule out a pump problem.

Cheers

[Clan]

Originally Posted by mchell

Thanks for the reply oragex.

I as I point it out, I'm planning to replace the reservoir and oil with the ch11. The one in the reservoir is not that dirty, but suspect has been there since ever so it's an easy replacement.

Regarding the wire you refer to comming.from near the coupler I have no idea. But regarding that coupler I've read that it's good to lubricate the coupler to see if the hard steering would be addressed. But I did and no change.

So I guess a new.reservoir bottle and.fluid is.my next step.

Also forgot to mention on previous threads, no weird noises from Pas pump, so would rule out a pump problem.

Cheers

when you suffer the heavy steering does it improve if you rev the engine? Volvo dealers have a steering pump pressure test kit ...

[mchell]

Originally Posted by Clan

when you suffer the heavy steering does it improve if you rev the engine? Volvo dealers have a steering pump pressure test kit ...

no, it just became heavy as if half assisted all the time. strangely at low speeds (up 30mh) it feels as heavy as when stationary, but maybe that's just normal (according to the fault it has!!)

I'll just syphon the fluid, install a new shape bottle reservoir, hose are ok and see what happens.

Because as said previously, when first starting the engine after a long (more than 24h) period, the steering wheel feels soft and light as would be expected when manoeuvring from parked, but then, after starting to drive it just becomes heavy, either moving or stopped in traffic.

So it does not seem to be nothing wrong with the pump (no weird noises) or with the rack (no clunks or excessive leaks (just a few but dried out). In between is the reservoir. so have to change it and see if it improves.

Cheers

[Clan]

Originally Posted by mchell

no, it just became heavy as if half assisted all the time. strangely at low speeds (up 30mh) it feels as heavy as when stationary, but maybe that's just normal (according to the fault it has!!)

I'll just syphon the fluid, install a new shape bottle reservoir, hose are ok and see what happens.

Because as said previously, when first starting the engine after a long (more than 24h) period, the steering wheel feels soft and light as would be expected when manoeuvring from parked, but then, after starting to drive it just becomes heavy, either moving or stopped in traffic.

So it does not seem to be nothing wrong with the pump (no weird noises) or with the rack (no clunks or excessive leaks (just a few but dried out). In between is the reservoir. so have to change it and see if it improves.

Cheers

is there a lot of swirling and maybe bubbles in the reservoir when idling?

[mchell]

Originally Posted by Clan

is there a lot of swirling and maybe bubbles in the reservoir when idling?

No. Nothing like that. Engine running and the fluid surface is static.

[Clan]

Originally Posted by mchell

No. Nothing like that. Engine running and the fluid surface is static.

You need to get the pump tested first before condemning the rack , the volvo tool checks the pump under it's full load which is 120 bar .