XC60 Steering Fault - Stiff spot

[Myloverlyhorse]

Hi,

I have owned my 2013 XC60 D5 for 3 years now and it has been main dealer serviced from new with no real faults.

Recently I have noticed a stiff spot in the steering occurring intermittently around the 12.30-13.30 position on the steering wheel (turning right obvs).

This happens at both low and high speeds and can be quite disconcerting when approaching a bend at 70mph.

some extra force input seems to pass the stiff spot and the steering then goes back to normal.

2 weeks ago I put it into the dealer and they agreed there is a fault with the steering.

This week (Thurs) it went in to get a new rack, on friday I called to chase them up and was told they put a new rack in, but the new rack appeared to be fault!!!!!

luckily they had another rack on hand, and said they would fit it on Saturday morning.

Sat morning came and went, when I called they said it would be Monday before the job would be finished.

Monday came too and when I called I have now been told that the new.... new... 2nd replacement rack appears to have a fault also.

The dealer has raised a technical querry with Volvo.

The Car has 49,000 miles and is 5 years old (not an old car by any stretch).

Just wondering if anyone has any idea - I am begining to think it might be the universal joints i in the column or an electrical/sensor issue - rather than the rack itself.

2 faulty replacement racks is highly unlikely. unless:

A - They are very poor quality
B - They are using used parts instead or new/refurbed.

I will update this with more details as it seems there is not much online about XC60 Power Steering faults.

Additional info

Volvo UK are stumping up 30% of the bill for the replacement rack.
Rack apparently costs £900 and is refurbished.
Total cost for replacement was approx £1400 now £900 with volvo contribution.