S60 Steering: "Notch" at 12 oclock when cold

[blueacid]

Hi There,

Strange fault this: when it's cold outside (starting at around 8c and getting more pronounced as it gets colder) there seems to be a definite 'notch' around 12'oclock on the steering. I need to apply a bit of force to overcome this to steer right and left - but only for this notch. So if I'm wishing to turn right from going straight on I need to pull right harder, there'll be an audible 'clunk' and then it's easy to steer right.

After a mile or two, this clunk is gone - steering feel is good for the rest of the trip, but it'll return as soon as the steering is cold.

I'm already starting to flush the fluid with CHF11S - I've done two drain and fills of the reservoir... but it doesn't seem to be fixing this issue.

Any suggestions?

[Georgeandkira]

Hello, Year and mileage helps.
Since you're flushing the fluid and the steering eases with warmth I'd bet the pump is working. How was the fluid before your began changing fluid?

You're still at the inspection phase.

Here's my guess/suggestion. Raise both front wheels just off the ground when the car is cold. Use jack stands.
Get a friend to steer through the notch while you lie near the steering gear for a more thorough inspection.

Turning your wheels through their travel might reveal a hiccough in the rack or tie rod ends. Give the strut bearings a focussed listen too.

However, relieving the weight by raising the front end will relieve the pressure on the bearings so keep that in mind. You may want to get 4 scraps of sheet metal 9 inches square. Make 2 thin grease sandwiches and begin your inspection with your front wheels atop them. The steering will be eased tremendously. When you're done, toss the greasy things away.

There's a bearing in the steering column too but I do not know where to look for that. Kira

[blueacid]

Originally Posted by Georgeandkira

Hello, Year and mileage helps.
Since you're flushing the fluid and the steering eases with warmth I'd bet the pump is working. How was the fluid before your began changing fluid?

You're still at the inspection phase.

Here's my guess/suggestion. Raise both front wheels just off the ground when the car is cold. Use jack stands.
Get a friend to steer through the notch while you lie near the steering gear for a more thorough inspection.

Turning your wheels through their travel might reveal a hiccough in the rack or tie rod ends. Give the strut bearings a focussed listen too.

However, relieving the weight by raising the front end will relieve the pressure on the bearings so keep that in mind. You may want to get 4 scraps of sheet metal 9 inches square. Make 2 thin grease sandwiches and begin your inspection with your front wheels atop them. The steering will be eased tremendously. When you're done, toss the greasy things away.

There's a bearing in the steering column too but I do not know where to look for that. Kira

Apologies! 2004 S60 Diesel, 85,000 miles.

The fluid coming out was dark brown, almost black. Certainly a big difference compared to the translucent green of the new CHF11S fluid, but there doesn't seem to be any improvement in performance after two reservoir drain and fills.

I suspect the reservoir might also be leaking: it looks wet around the 'seam' and the level of fluid appeared to be a little low when I first started the draining and filling: to this end I've got another on the way from a breakers.. yes I should have checked the levels more often... oops.

The pump is certainly working - once I'm past the notch I've got full power assistance from the steering. Even though it's hard on the tyres I could (if I wanted) easily steer with the car stationary: I always try to be moving when steering though to avoid tyre wear.

When lying under the car and having a friend steer, what might I be looking for? Unusual movement/judder?

[swedishandgerman]

The lower steering column joint sometimes goes stiff. It gets hot as it's near the manifold and mank can get flicked up from the front wheel, so it's prime for getting a bit of corrosion in there.

I successfully put this fault right on my previous V70 where I gave it a clean up as best as I could with it in place - it's space is tight - followed by giving it a good spray with a a high temp grease seeing as it's near the manifold. I sprayed it with the steering a different angles so that the grease could penetrate the joints.

A replacement part wasn't expensive but it looked like a nasty job to change, so I was very happy to have succeeded with the above.

Good luck!

[kenny37]

Originally Posted by swedishandgerman

The lower steering column joint sometimes goes stiff. It gets hot as it's near the manifold and mank can get flicked up from the front wheel, so it's prime for getting a bit of corrosion in there.

I successfully put this fault right on my previous V70 where I gave it a clean up as best as I could with it in place - it's space is tight - followed by giving it a good spray with a a high temp grease seeing as it's near the manifold. I sprayed it with the steering a different angles so that the grease could penetrate the joints.

A replacement part wasn't expensive but it looked like a nasty job to change, so I was very happy to have succeeded with the above.

Good luck!

Yep id aggree with this. my joint has just been replaced as you could hardly move the joint. steering lighter and not as notchy now.just have to work out how the steering column was bent as well though..