power steering - hard to turn from mid position

[ymc30]

I think I failed to find an answer because I cannot even describe properly what I experience so hard to search...
So it's a 2011 V50 D3 Auto but I don't think it matters as it's either the pump or the rack.
When you start the car cold it takes quite an effort to turn the steering from the mid position (while driving) but after that it softens up. When returned to straight, it's the same again. When the system warms up, it goes away.
But then sometime even from cold, no symptoms (this is the exception though)

Anybody had this before, please?

[LizardOfBodom]

Originally Posted by ymc30

I think I failed to find an answer because I cannot even describe properly what I experience so hard to search...
So it's a 2011 V50 D3 Auto but I don't think it matters as it's either the pump or the rack.
When you start the car cold it takes quite an effort to turn the steering from the mid position (while driving) but after that it softens up. When returned to straight, it's the same again. When the system warms up, it goes away.
But then sometime even from cold, no symptoms (this is the exception though)

Anybody had this before, please?

Have you checked level of power steering fluid and /or its condition? Mine was really bad and it should be flushed&replaced ever so often, maybe it degraded so much that it prevents pump from working its full potential?
if replacing , make sure old fluid is flushed out from the whole system!

[ymc30]

Originally Posted by LizardOfBodom

Have you checked level of power steering fluid and /or its condition?

Yep, I swapped the engine from a manual and all fluids have been changed including the brake fluid.

I still have the donor car, so I am just wondering whether I can get away with changing the pump or will I be so lucky so I have to change the rack. That would be fun...

[ymc30]

Has someone had this symptoms, please?

[BorderVolvo]

Had similar but wasn't on a Volvo.
Check the column UJ. It could be starting to seize up.

[Froldru]

I've got the same issue on my car (C70 2008) and can't figure it out either. When i took it in for a service (granted not at Volvo, but a Volvo "Specialist") i was told that was part of the cars character and that it was nothing to be concerned about.

It's been 6 months and it's not got better or worse so just living with it at the moment.