Power Steering Hard Spots

cwhaley · Jan 23rd, 2018, 11:55

Getting my 'new' S40 2.0D in for a service in 2 weeks' time. Only the basics such as fresh engine oil, new filters (oil, air, fuel), clean of the throttle body plus a flush of the power steering fluid.

Currently the car has hard spots when turning left and right. It's nothing major but when cold in the morning there's noticeable resistance in either direction at different points - imagine turning a volume control on a stereo and it 'sticking' intermittently. After everything is all warmed up the steering is fairly smooth which makes me think it may be the fluid.

Just wondering how much of a difference new fluid makes? Never changed it before so I have no experience to go off. There's no evidence this was done in previous services either.

iainmd · Jan 23rd, 2018, 12:35

If you have hard spots when turning in either direction it's highly likely the two metal hydraulic pipes on your steering rack are rusted through. Volvo will almost certain;y try to sell you a new rack at about £600+.

Our V50 1.6D had this last year and the garage we use locally fabricated two new pipes and replaced them on the existing rack. The problem was cured and it cost about £250 which was mainly labour. I would get it looked at ASAP as, if I'm right, it will be spewing PAS fluid all over the engine bay and your undertray will be pretty rank.

cwhaley · Jan 23rd, 2018, 14:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by iainmd

If you have hard spots when turning in either direction it's highly likely the two metal hydraulic pipes on your steering rack are rusted through. Volvo will almost certain;y try to sell you a new rack at about £600+.

Our V50 1.6D had this last year and the garage we use locally fabricated two new pipes and replaced them on the existing rack. The problem was cured and it cost about £250 which was mainly labour. I would get it looked at ASAP as, if I'm right, it will be spewing PAS fluid all over the engine bay and your undertray will be pretty rank.

Gulp... ! I'll ask the garage to look at the steering rack while the car is on the ramps then. If they are rusted through as you suspect, I'll ask the question about fabricating new pipes, although I have seen a few on eBay for between £70 and £135 described as being in good useable condition.

It's booked in for the 6th Feb. so will have to look around the system later today for signs of leaking.

Thank you.

iainmd · Jan 23rd, 2018, 19:42

No probs. I would avoid using second hand pipes as I think it's probably a false economy. You'll have no idea how much action/corrosion they've seen and could likely get replacements made for the same price. It took the guys about an hour to fabricate new pipes and crimp the connectors to the ends. The majority of the bill was getting the old ones off the rack in situ and during the replacement ones. Plus they cleaned the fluid off the engine and jetwashed the undertray.

Welton · Jan 24th, 2018, 11:02

Another angle might be that the suspension top mounts are knackered. With the front end in the air you would be able to turn the wheels lock to lock and feel/listen for grumbling bearings - worse when the weight of the car is on them.

I've also had 'odd feeling' steering when the inner or outer tie rod ends are worn (steering rack connecting rods).

cwhaley · Jan 24th, 2018, 12:15

I've got the car booked in for some servicing work at a local garage on the 6th, so I'm going to ask them to give it a thorough looking over.

I have had two other people tell me about the top mounts on the suspension system, so I've discussed all of the below with the garage. They are good and are happy for me to be there while they go over it and we'll be looking at these areas first. This morning it was 12 degrees and the steering was noticeably better than when it was say two days ago when it was -1 at the same time.

I'll report back on here when the garage have investigated and hopefully rectified the fault. I'll let you all know the findings

Jan 23rd, 2018, 11:55	#1
cwhaley New Member Last Online: Dec 18th, 2019 12:21 Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Derbyshire	Power Steering Hard Spots Getting my 'new' S40 2.0D in for a service in 2 weeks' time. Only the basics such as fresh engine oil, new filters (oil, air, fuel), clean of the throttle body plus a flush of the power steering fluid. Currently the car has hard spots when turning left and right. It's nothing major but when cold in the morning there's noticeable resistance in either direction at different points - imagine turning a volume control on a stereo and it 'sticking' intermittently. After everything is all warmed up the steering is fairly smooth which makes me think it may be the fluid. Just wondering how much of a difference new fluid makes? Never changed it before so I have no experience to go off. There's no evidence this was done in previous services either.

Jan 23rd, 2018, 12:35	#2
iainmd Member Last Online: Today 15:35 Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Fife View Photos By: iainmd	If you have hard spots when turning in either direction it's highly likely the two metal hydraulic pipes on your steering rack are rusted through. Volvo will almost certain;y try to sell you a new rack at about £600+. Our V50 1.6D had this last year and the garage we use locally fabricated two new pipes and replaced them on the existing rack. The problem was cured and it cost about £250 which was mainly labour. I would get it looked at ASAP as, if I'm right, it will be spewing PAS fluid all over the engine bay and your undertray will be pretty rank. __________________ Present: 2009 Volvo V50 1.6D DRIVe SE Past: 2004 Volvo S40 T5 SE Last edited by iainmd; Jan 23rd, 2018 at 12:42.

Jan 23rd, 2018, 19:42	#4
iainmd Member Last Online: Today 15:35 Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Fife View Photos By: iainmd	No probs. I would avoid using second hand pipes as I think it's probably a false economy. You'll have no idea how much action/corrosion they've seen and could likely get replacements made for the same price. It took the guys about an hour to fabricate new pipes and crimp the connectors to the ends. The majority of the bill was getting the old ones off the rack in situ and during the replacement ones. Plus they cleaned the fluid off the engine and jetwashed the undertray. __________________ Present: 2009 Volvo V50 1.6D DRIVe SE Past: 2004 Volvo S40 T5 SE

Jan 24th, 2018, 11:02	#5
Welton Premier Member Last Online: Sep 14th, 2021 17:03 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Market Harborough	Another angle might be that the suspension top mounts are knackered. With the front end in the air you would be able to turn the wheels lock to lock and feel/listen for grumbling bearings - worse when the weight of the car is on them. I've also had 'odd feeling' steering when the inner or outer tie rod ends are worn (steering rack connecting rods). __________________ 2005 S40 T5 SE - Manual. Bilstein B4's. (For Sale) 2010 Citroen C4 1.6 HDi (bizarre Gearbox model). 2010 Renault Twingo (refreshingly simple) 2018 Infiniti Q30 1.6T Business Executive (what's this button do?)

Jan 24th, 2018, 12:15	#6
cwhaley New Member Last Online: Dec 18th, 2019 12:21 Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Derbyshire	I've got the car booked in for some servicing work at a local garage on the 6th, so I'm going to ask them to give it a thorough looking over. I have had two other people tell me about the top mounts on the suspension system, so I've discussed all of the below with the garage. They are good and are happy for me to be there while they go over it and we'll be looking at these areas first. This morning it was 12 degrees and the steering was noticeably better than when it was say two days ago when it was -1 at the same time. I'll report back on here when the garage have investigated and hopefully rectified the fault. I'll let you all know the findings

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