Steering: - Sticky Steering!!

Monkey Boy · Jan 12th, 2009, 11:05

Hi all and Happy New Year

I have a bit of a dilemma that hopefully someone will have the answer to! over the past week i have noticed the steering on my 05 XC90 "sticks" on start-up and lasts for about 10 minutes. By this I mean when you turn left or right the steering seems to jerk!

She was only serviced early December but i checked the PS reservoir and found it a little low so topped it up but the issue still persists but as mentioned, it only lasts for about 10 minutes and only when she is cold.

Over the new year I did a round trip to Ireland covering 890 miles without a hitch but this baffles me.

Any advice welcome.

Marc

SKH · Jan 12th, 2009, 16:39

Hi,

I am part exchanging my 54 reg XC90 D5 this week for an XC60 & when the salesman test drove my car he said the steering rack was on its way out (I had also noticed a 'pulsing' through the steering wheel, specially when cold).

Apparently, this is a common problem on XC90's because its such a heavy car & the rack has been completely redesigned. Its not something I had heard of before or seen mention of on this site.

tem · Jan 12th, 2009, 17:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monkey Boy

Hi all and Happy New Year

I have a bit of a dilemma that hopefully someone will have the answer to! over the past week i have noticed the steering on my 05 XC90 "sticks" on start-up and lasts for about 10 minutes. By this I mean when you turn left or right the steering seems to jerk!

She was only serviced early December but i checked the PS reservoir and found it a little low so topped it up but the issue still persists but as mentioned, it only lasts for about 10 minutes and only when she is cold.

Over the new year I did a round trip to Ireland covering 890 miles without a hitch but this baffles me.

Any advice welcome.

Marc

You mention, topping up the PS reservoir. That should not be required, unless you have developed a leak.
The favorite place for a leak, is the PS Oil Cooler, it can be damaged from stone chips and is situated under the front spoiler. Worth a look. Should one get a bad leak there, you will soon know, starts with a load noise from the pump, followed by heavy steering, followed by a knackered pump within, 500/1000 miles.

tem.

Monkey Boy · Jan 12th, 2009, 21:50

Thanks Guys.

Its not pulsing just sticks! Very hard to describe in words but it is only happens in the cold weather.

Tem,

No leaks from the PS oil cooler or pipework, I have checked this as my previous XC90 suffered this fate!

It's off to the dealer for me to have it checked and will let you know.

Monkey Boy · Jan 13th, 2009, 13:29

I may have figured it out!

The drive belt is slipping on start up idicated by the usual screeching noise when belts slip.

Getting checked out at the weekend.

RusSKill · Jan 16th, 2009, 14:33

Hello everyone!

I too have had the knocking/pulsing/stuttering steering problem recently, more noticeable on startup in cold weather. My wife took it in to Rybrook Volvo and was told they couldn't find anything wrong, however they said they'd tightened up the suspension!

It only seems to be affected on almost full lock at slow speed.

Ours is a 56 D5.

Will let you know if problems persist!

Russ.

tedm · Jul 1st, 2009, 10:45

Marc,
I have what sounds to be exactly the same issue with my '52 car with only 52k on the clock - of course it started just after the car went out of warranty.
When it's cold (actually almost any time but worst when it's cold) the steering wheel is almost stuck straight ahead and takes a bit of effort to turn it and when it does it jerks.
The problem goes away after about 5-10 miles.
Had a local garage look at the rack and they said it was a mess. Only solution is a new rack I'm afraid. That said I've lived with mine for nearly a few years so far

200bhp · Aug 17th, 2009, 12:56

Have you checked the joint on the steering rod ?

My wifes started grunching and it sounded serious but WD40 solved it (for a few days) so a new joint is about to be fitted.

JMP · Aug 18th, 2009, 13:48

Have similar problem with our 53reg 81K.

Steering seems to go stiff like there's no power steering. It is a very intermittent problem and usually occurs when reversing into our drive at near full lock or parking in supermarket carparks at very low speeds. Going for service at indy tomorrow so will see what they say.

JMP · Aug 19th, 2009, 22:31

Indy reports it's probably the rack but that there is nothing dangerous at present so can continue as is.

They did mention it may be worth speaking with Volvo on this as it looked to be a very common problem and there may have been a recall for it... does anyone know if Volvo have done anything about this?

Jan 12th, 2009, 11:05	#1
Monkey Boy Junior Member Last Online: Nov 19th, 2010 09:39 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Essex	Sticky Steering!! Hi all and Happy New Year I have a bit of a dilemma that hopefully someone will have the answer to! over the past week i have noticed the steering on my 05 XC90 "sticks" on start-up and lasts for about 10 minutes. By this I mean when you turn left or right the steering seems to jerk! She was only serviced early December but i checked the PS reservoir and found it a little low so topped it up but the issue still persists but as mentioned, it only lasts for about 10 minutes and only when she is cold. Over the new year I did a round trip to Ireland covering 890 miles without a hitch but this baffles me. Any advice welcome. Marc

Jan 12th, 2009, 16:39	#2
SKH SKH Last Online: May 31st, 2022 20:03 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Brighton	Steering Rack Wear Hi, I am part exchanging my 54 reg XC90 D5 this week for an XC60 & when the salesman test drove my car he said the steering rack was on its way out (I had also noticed a 'pulsing' through the steering wheel, specially when cold). Apparently, this is a common problem on XC90's because its such a heavy car & the rack has been completely redesigned. Its not something I had heard of before or seen mention of on this site.

Aug 18th, 2009, 13:48	#9
JMP Member Last Online: Jan 24th, 2020 23:55 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Cornwall	Have similar problem with our 53reg 81K. Steering seems to go stiff like there's no power steering. It is a very intermittent problem and usually occurs when reversing into our drive at near full lock or parking in supermarket carparks at very low speeds. Going for service at indy tomorrow so will see what they say. __________________ John 2003 '53 XC90 D5 SE 163bhp Geartronic 1999 'T' V70 XLT 2.5 10V Auto 2005 '55 Mercedes C200 CDI Avantgarde Estate 1979 'T' MGB Roadster

Aug 19th, 2009, 22:31	#10
JMP Member Last Online: Jan 24th, 2020 23:55 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Cornwall	Indy reports it's probably the rack but that there is nothing dangerous at present so can continue as is. They did mention it may be worth speaking with Volvo on this as it looked to be a very common problem and there may have been a recall for it... does anyone know if Volvo have done anything about this? __________________ John 2003 '53 XC90 D5 SE 163bhp Geartronic 1999 'T' V70 XLT 2.5 10V Auto 2005 '55 Mercedes C200 CDI Avantgarde Estate 1979 'T' MGB Roadster

Jan 12th, 2009, 21:50	#4
Monkey Boy Junior Member Last Online: Nov 19th, 2010 09:39 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Essex	Thanks Guys. Its not pulsing just sticks! Very hard to describe in words but it is only happens in the cold weather. Tem, No leaks from the PS oil cooler or pipework, I have checked this as my previous XC90 suffered this fate! It's off to the dealer for me to have it checked and will let you know.

Jan 13th, 2009, 13:29	#5
Monkey Boy Junior Member Last Online: Nov 19th, 2010 09:39 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Essex	I may have figured it out! The drive belt is slipping on start up idicated by the usual screeching noise when belts slip. Getting checked out at the weekend.

Jan 16th, 2009, 14:33	#6
RusSKill I Rock! Last Online: Feb 9th, 2012 23:50 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Liverpool View Photos By: RusSKill	Hello everyone! I too have had the knocking/pulsing/stuttering steering problem recently, more noticeable on startup in cold weather. My wife took it in to Rybrook Volvo and was told they couldn't find anything wrong, however they said they'd tightened up the suspension! It only seems to be affected on almost full lock at slow speed. Ours is a 56 D5. Will let you know if problems persist! Russ.

Jul 1st, 2009, 10:45	#7
tedm Junior Member Last Online: Sep 8th, 2014 15:11 Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Chester	Marc, I have what sounds to be exactly the same issue with my '52 car with only 52k on the clock - of course it started just after the car went out of warranty. When it's cold (actually almost any time but worst when it's cold) the steering wheel is almost stuck straight ahead and takes a bit of effort to turn it and when it does it jerks. The problem goes away after about 5-10 miles. Had a local garage look at the rack and they said it was a mess. Only solution is a new rack I'm afraid. That said I've lived with mine for nearly a few years so far

Aug 17th, 2009, 12:56	#8
200bhp XC90 03 D5 Auto Last Online: Feb 29th, 2012 07:27 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: solihull	Have you checked the joint on the steering rod ? My wifes started grunching and it sounded serious but WD40 solved it (for a few days) so a new joint is about to be fitted.

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