V70 steering column lock recurring problem

[Paul Bearer]

V70 2.4SE D 1st reg Feb 2008

I had a problem two years ago when out of the blue the car wouldn't start, it eventually turned out to be a stuck steering column lock

After much work to remove the shear bolts and removing the column lock I found it jammed, got the column lock plunger freed off and well lubricated, reassembled and all was well

Two years on the damn thing did it again, so knowing the problem I was in a better position to know what to do, I removed the lock, freed it up but didn't replace it as yet, its just resting in the dash

My question is, what lubricant would be better than WD40?

Light oil or silicone grease? or something else , WD40 appears to have dried out leaving it jammed

I don't want it to happen again

(I feel sure I found threads in this forum before but can't find any now)

[Simmy]

wd 40 is not a lubricant clean any old wd 40 off with a good solvent let it dry then use a dry lubricant most cycle shops sell it

[stuart bowes]

Originally Posted by Paul Bearer

what lubricant would be better than WD40?

White grease / ptfe spray

[Paul Bearer]

Thanks for yours, yes I am the architect of my own downfall there, I should know better re WD40

Annoyingly I have a can of dry lubricant but can I find it?

I was at son in laws when it happened and borrowed his WD40 but he had the dry ptfe version so its good to go as it is

But will seek out my can before refitting or get another if I can't

Cheers for reminding me

Originally Posted by Simmy

wd 40 is not a lubricant clean any old wd 40 off with a good solvent let it dry then use a dry lubricant most cycle shops sell it

[Paul Bearer]

Thanks for yours, not sure on the white grease but ptfe is okay

Originally Posted by stuart bowes

White grease / ptfe spray

[stuart bowes]

white grease is useful for a number of things, the main thing is it doesn't just drain off and dry out like most really thin sprays like wd40, it stays there like a grease and carries on working

[Clan]

Originally Posted by Paul Bearer

V70 2.4SE D 1st reg Feb 2008

I had a problem two years ago when out of the blue the car wouldn't start, it eventually turned out to be a stuck steering column lock

After much work to remove the shear bolts and removing the column lock I found it jammed, got the column lock plunger freed off and well lubricated, reassembled and all was well

Two years on the damn thing did it again, so knowing the problem I was in a better position to know what to do, I removed the lock, freed it up but didn't replace it as yet, its just resting in the dash

My question is, what lubricant would be better than WD40?

Light oil or silicone grease? or something else , WD40 appears to have dried out leaving it jammed

I don't want it to happen again

(I feel sure I found threads in this forum before but can't find any now)

you really should get a new lock it is going to catch you out one day in the future in the most awkward circumstances and will cost you twice the cost of a new lock to be recovered , I have seen it a couple of times now . .
It isn't a lubrication fault, it is the electric motor , a brush burned perhaps .

[Simmy]

Originally Posted by Clan

you really should get a new lock it is going to catch you out one day in the future in the most awkward circumstances and will cost you twice the cost of a new lock to be recovered , I have seen it a couple of times now . .
It isn't a lubrication fault, it is the electric motor , a brush burned perhaps .

the op states in his post the lock was jamed and he freed it with some lube if it was a motor fault it would have showed up again in a 2 year pieriod but the motor might be worth checking just to rule it out

[Paul Bearer]

Thanks for the suggestion but its not a motor problem, its a lack of lubrication problem, its a common one with Volvos with this type of steering lock

I foolishly used WD40 to lube it on the first go, I should have known better but we live and learn

Originally Posted by Clan

you really should get a new lock it is going to catch you out one day in the future in the most awkward circumstances and will cost you twice the cost of a new lock to be recovered , I have seen it a couple of times now . .
It isn't a lubrication fault, it is the electric motor , a brush burned perhaps .

[Paul Bearer]

Thanks, and no its not a motor problem

The peg in the steering lock jams, so the ignition won't start, remove the lock and free the peg and all is well

I shouldn't have used WD40 on the first time, so its my own fault hence the question here as to the best lube, I am now just toying between dry lube or grease, its a more or less sealed unit, so no chance of debris getting in or drying out

Originally Posted by Simmy

the op states in his post the lock was jamed and he freed it with some lube if it was a motor fault it would have showed up again in a 2 year pieriod but the motor might be worth checking just to rule it out