XC 90 Steering problem

Jul 13th, 2004, 01:03

Hi,

I took delivery of my XC90 back in March, it's had all the phone echo problems and such like rectified by various software downloads - however one significant (in my eyes) fault remains - the steering pulls noticeably to the nearside at all sppeds in excess of about 20 MPH.

Volvo UK tell me there is no known issue with these cars, yet the dealer still insists that these cars are set up with 'neutral' steering and that they will therefore have a tendency to follow the camber!

However, I took the car out from the dealer's premises last week, and on a left hand bend, with the motorway noticeably cambered (sloping)to the offside, at 60MPH the car veered to the NS lane from the centre lane within about 400 metres.

I think the castor angle is wrong, but I'm assured by the dealer that they've performed a 4 wheel alignment and that everything is correctly set.

I've recently been driving a '98 V70 XC, an '02 V70 2.4S, a '96 850 2.0 GLT and a '90 740 2.0 GL - none of those cars exhibit the same tendency.

I can't imagine that it makes a difference but my car is fitted with speed sensitive steering.

Jul 13th, 2004, 01:30

take it to a normal tyre place (ie quickfit) and get them to check the tracking for you - this is definatly what sounds like the problem. failing that, it could possably some sort of problem with the diff or sticking brake calipers, but i doubt this would happen on a new car. tracking can go out if you just tw*t a curb a bit hard..

Jul 13th, 2004, 01:36

Hi 5lab,

Tracking already checked. I drove the car a couple of hours after the 4 wheel alignment had been done.

It's never hit a kerb - I'm the only driver - so I'd know.

Car was like this from day one. Currently on it's second holiday at Evans Halshaw - they've had it for 12 days and can't even be bothered to return my phone calls now!

Peter Milnes · Jul 14th, 2004, 00:44

Time to apply a boot to their collective posteriors. This is not good enough for someone with the reputation of Evans Halshaw (basically a Ford dealer).

All the best, Peter

Jul 14th, 2004, 21:16

Hi Peter,

Issue was escalated to Volvo technical yesterday afternoon. As at 6pm this evening they had not responded to EVans Halshaw.

I'd be really interested to know if anyone else has noticed the same tendency on an XC90. I don't recall the car I test drove prior to placing my order having the same problem.

Peter Milnes · Jul 15th, 2004, 02:03

Paul if you are a VOC member would you like a registration form for your XC90. If so, I can e-mail you a form which you can either print off, fill in, re-scan and e-mail back to me, or send it by snail-mail. This would register your car on the XC90 register which I have started, until we get a member to look after this register.

It does sound like an isolated incident on this car, which does not lessen the urgency of getting it fixed super pronto. Keep after them or they will think you have lost interest.

All the best, Peter

Simon Linton · Jul 15th, 2004, 09:41

Evans Halshaw in Loughborough were the dealers who sold me my first 850 - I'm afraid that their lack of interest after purchase comes as no surprise to me as they were cataclysmically incompetent on sorting out the warranty problems on my car.

Try another dealer.

Jul 15th, 2004, 11:25

Hi,

Volvo technical have told EH Stockport, based on the information they've provided, that my car is set up with a steering bias to the NS.

It's now got to go into an alignment specialists to have the NS bias corrected towards neutral.

Will update the forum once I know more.

KeatV70D5SE · Aug 7th, 2004, 20:57

i was under the impression that UK cars are set up with n/s bias so that if you fall asleep/unconscious the car will veer off the road rather than into oncoming traffic. You shouldn't be able to feel it though.

My V70 tracks on uneven roads but this is because of the 40-series low profile tyres.

Aug 15th, 2004, 10:30

I've had my car back for about three weeks now, and am happy to report that the pull to the n/s has been cured. Yes, there's still a slight bias to the n/s, but it's by no means a problem.

It feels normal!

The dealer hasn't come clean as to what they've done exactly, other than to say that some new settings from Volvo have been effected.

I suppose we just have to be thankful for the cure.

Jul 13th, 2004, 01:03	#1
Paul_Ford Guest Location:	XC 90 Steering problem Hi, I took delivery of my XC90 back in March, it's had all the phone echo problems and such like rectified by various software downloads - however one significant (in my eyes) fault remains - the steering pulls noticeably to the nearside at all sppeds in excess of about 20 MPH. Volvo UK tell me there is no known issue with these cars, yet the dealer still insists that these cars are set up with 'neutral' steering and that they will therefore have a tendency to follow the camber! However, I took the car out from the dealer's premises last week, and on a left hand bend, with the motorway noticeably cambered (sloping)to the offside, at 60MPH the car veered to the NS lane from the centre lane within about 400 metres. I think the castor angle is wrong, but I'm assured by the dealer that they've performed a 4 wheel alignment and that everything is correctly set. I've recently been driving a '98 V70 XC, an '02 V70 2.4S, a '96 850 2.0 GLT and a '90 740 2.0 GL - none of those cars exhibit the same tendency. I can't imagine that it makes a difference but my car is fitted with speed sensitive steering.

Jul 13th, 2004, 01:30	#2
5lab Guest Location:	RE: XC 90 Steering problem take it to a normal tyre place (ie quickfit) and get them to check the tracking for you - this is definatly what sounds like the problem. failing that, it could possably some sort of problem with the diff or sticking brake calipers, but i doubt this would happen on a new car. tracking can go out if you just tw*t a curb a bit hard..

Jul 13th, 2004, 01:36	#3
Paul_Ford Guest Location:	RE: XC 90 Steering problem Hi 5lab, Tracking already checked. I drove the car a couple of hours after the 4 wheel alignment had been done. It's never hit a kerb - I'm the only driver - so I'd know. Car was like this from day one. Currently on it's second holiday at Evans Halshaw - they've had it for 12 days and can't even be bothered to return my phone calls now!

Jul 14th, 2004, 00:44	#4
Peter Milnes Premier Member Last Online: Apr 10th, 2014 00:01 Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Tonyrefail	RE: XC 90 Steering problem Time to apply a boot to their collective posteriors. This is not good enough for someone with the reputation of Evans Halshaw (basically a Ford dealer). All the best, Peter

Jul 14th, 2004, 21:16	#5
Paul_Ford Guest Location:	RE: XC 90 Steering problem Hi Peter, Issue was escalated to Volvo technical yesterday afternoon. As at 6pm this evening they had not responded to EVans Halshaw. I'd be really interested to know if anyone else has noticed the same tendency on an XC90. I don't recall the car I test drove prior to placing my order having the same problem.

Jul 15th, 2004, 02:03	#6
Peter Milnes Premier Member Last Online: Apr 10th, 2014 00:01 Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Tonyrefail	RE: XC 90 Steering problem Paul if you are a VOC member would you like a registration form for your XC90. If so, I can e-mail you a form which you can either print off, fill in, re-scan and e-mail back to me, or send it by snail-mail. This would register your car on the XC90 register which I have started, until we get a member to look after this register. It does sound like an isolated incident on this car, which does not lessen the urgency of getting it fixed super pronto. Keep after them or they will think you have lost interest. All the best, Peter

Jul 15th, 2004, 09:41	#7
Simon Linton 850/70 Register Keeper Last Online: Apr 24th, 2008 19:02 Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Leicester	RE: XC 90 Steering problem Evans Halshaw in Loughborough were the dealers who sold me my first 850 - I'm afraid that their lack of interest after purchase comes as no surprise to me as they were cataclysmically incompetent on sorting out the warranty problems on my car. Try another dealer.

Jul 15th, 2004, 11:25	#8
Paul_Ford Guest Location:	RE: XC 90 Steering problem Hi, Volvo technical have told EH Stockport, based on the information they've provided, that my car is set up with a steering bias to the NS. It's now got to go into an alignment specialists to have the NS bias corrected towards neutral. Will update the forum once I know more.

Aug 7th, 2004, 20:57	#9
KeatV70D5SE Member Last Online: Oct 5th, 2014 21:51 Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: York	RE: XC 90 Steering problem i was under the impression that UK cars are set up with n/s bias so that if you fall asleep/unconscious the car will veer off the road rather than into oncoming traffic. You shouldn't be able to feel it though. My V70 tracks on uneven roads but this is because of the 40-series low profile tyres. __________________ Keat 2004 XC70 D5 SE Lux . Black, Black Leather, factory privacy glass, RTI & TV, Phone (also Bluetooth), Premium Sound & Sub with IPOD, Isofix & built-in booster seats, Bi-Xenons, rear spoiler.

Aug 15th, 2004, 10:30	#10
Paul_Ford Guest Location:	RE: XC 90 Steering problem I've had my car back for about three weeks now, and am happy to report that the pull to the n/s has been cured. Yes, there's still a slight bias to the n/s, but it's by no means a problem. It feels normal! The dealer hasn't come clean as to what they've done exactly, other than to say that some new settings from Volvo have been effected. I suppose we just have to be thankful for the cure.

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