Heavy steering , where to start ?

[Pidgeonpost]

Finished the job on mine today by syphoning and refilling a couple of times with several lock-to-locks in between. The other thing I did earlier but forgot to mention earlier was to gently give the reservoir, and what looks like the filter(?) a gentle scrub out and clean with a toothbrush as there was a black film on it. Haven't taken it for a run yet, but it'll be interesting to see whether there's any noticeable difference in the steering effort required when parking/manoeuvring. At least the fluid is pretty clean now.

[monkeh]

Apologies, didn't read many of the responses.
My XC had heavy power steering. Diagnosed the pump as stuffed, the reservoir was black. The fluid wasn't in good shape.
I couldn't turn the steering wheel at idle, until I raised the revs. Occasionally it would work, but at 165k I was expecting a failure.
Autodoc sells a meyle power steering pump plus fluid for just shy of £200.

Fitting it is a pig as for some reason volvo put the power steering pump where the alternator should be.

I had to remove the stretch belt to the a/c compressor, go in blind to remove bolts through a pulley, and drop the a/c compressor down before I could remove the pump.
Before I removed any hoses, I sucked out the black fluid using an electric fluid extractor. Then washed out the reservoir with petrol. It air dried while I worked.

New pump installed, new fluid replaced, I ran the car for a few moments then extracted the fluid and replaced it as it was black again. Autodoc give you enough fluid to effectively flush the fluid and leave you with a nice green reservoir, with a little spare. All by displacement. I ran it for longer and longer, turning from lock to lock, gradually the old fluid got diluted enough to he "green to my liking".
Job done. One of the less challenging jobs on this car, but it's doable.
Didn't use vida, just stared at at and worked things out as I went. The most annoying part was walking the stretch belt onto its pulley without taking half of your finger.

Steering was then finger light, (job did spring last year)
Dead steering on idle is normally a failure of a relief valve inside the pump, experiencing this when I broke my power steering pump on my chrysler by doing donuts. Apparently holding steering on full lock with the arse end of a car swinging back on it is guaranteed to kill a pump. But I can't see that happening with an XC! All I can gather is mine did A LOT of stop start low speed manoeuvres.

[AlfieXC70]

Evening all , OP here, thought I would update you on where Im at with this,

So as suggested previously I watched the VolvoSweden guy on YouTube do a full flush / oil change, so went out and bought everything he had and carried out the process exactly as he did , he is great by the way

https://youtu.be/Op6vqOlutTE

I do very basic jobs on cars , this was a bit scary going into it , but in the end quite straight forward and Satisfying when you see that lovely green fluid coming through. I done it today , only driven a couple of miles and done a couple of test reverse parking.

I was hoping for the WOW factor , but I would say it has improved to where It definately seems easier and probably ok to live with , I will see how it goes . But not put your left arm behind the head rest and single steer it backwards easily back and forth if that makes sense.

But maybe these cars AWD/ heavy etc are just not like that and what I'm used to ?? What do you think should it be finger tip easy??

If this helps anyone, what I learnt from this

I was looking for some clear tubing everywhere in town , not much luck.
Then saw a Syphon kit for beer/ wine making in Wilko for about £4 , so took a chance.

It fit inside the return pipe perfectly nice and tight with plenty of length to reach an Empty bottle away from car , so pleased with that find.

Also bought 4 x 1 litre bottles of fluid , only needed 3 to do the job easily.

I bought a 2 tonne trolley jack off FB , new never used , but found it wasn't up to the job ? Tried lifting one side but it just stopped short of taking wheel off the ground ( didn't want to force it ) So had to use the trusty Volvo jack from the car

Next job coolant change

Thank you all for your advice , 👍

[Jimsmith44]

"Tried lifting one side but it just stopped short of taking wheel off the ground" Next time try a block of wood on the jack's head.

[AlfieXC70]

Originally Posted by Jimsmith44

"Tried lifting one side but it just stopped short of taking wheel off the ground" Next time try a block of wood on the jack's head.

Will do,

But there was plenty of height left on jack I think , it just didn't seem to like it ? Should a 2 tonne jack be able to lift one side of an XC70 ?

[apersson850]

There is a big difference between the two XC70 cars we have.
One has active, progressive steering assist, the other one the standard issue. The first is adjustable in the display, but even set to least assistance, it's easier to turn at slow speed than the standard servo steering.
Set to the highest assist level, the difference is quite remarkable.

[AlfieXC70]

Thanks , I did have a look in my settings , but don't have the option to adjust assistance , so guess mine is the second option you mentioned

[FreshAir]

Originally Posted by AlfieXC70

But maybe these cars AWD/ heavy etc are just not like that and what I'm used to ?? What do you think should it be finger tip easy??

I have a front wheel drive V70, steering should be same near enough. The steering has never struck me as heavy compared to anything else I've driven, apart from the old unassisted steering racks of old (still have one - very light car with very small steering wheel and that is really heaving until driving).

[monkeh]

The XC should have feather light steering. Your pump is on its way out.
Not feather light like a USA vehicle, but feather light that you could park with the palm of your hand on the wheel.
I can pinkie steer my US truck.

[passenger]

You did that on parking lot? Under the car or removed wheel and there from the side?


Fir guy who wants to change fluid : be careful. My drain plug on radiator get stuck