New steering rack. Stiffer steering.

richiekuk · Dec 21st, 2023, 15:35

So I fitted, bled and tested a new steering rack yesterday.

I found the steering to be lot harder than I remembered.
Is this normal? Will it "bed in"?

Or are they all like this? I've just had a wheel alignment done. And the guys never said a word. Maybe the other one was too light?

Mertz · Dec 21st, 2023, 18:15

I had a new rack and fitted it in September. It felt a little tighter to drive but certainly not difficult or radically different from the old worn unit.

griston64 · Dec 21st, 2023, 19:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by richiekuk

So I fitted, bled and tested a new steering rack yesterday.

I found the steering to be lot harder than I remembered.
Is this normal? Will it "bed in"?

Or are they all like this? I've just had a wheel alignment done. And the guys never said a word. Maybe the other one was too light?

Prob just because the old one was knackered ? Assume it was leaking hyd fluid ?

Rversteeg · Dec 22nd, 2023, 10:00

I don't know how this particular steering rack is designed, but in general the level of power assistance is determined by a spring in the hydraulic system. You can feel the spring action when the wheels reach full lock, you can just turn the steering wheel a little further. The further you turn it, the more oil is admitted and the more assistance you get.
You do not feel this during normal driving, but also in that case you turn the steering wheel slighter further than the wheels follow. The more resistance you get from the wheels, the greater this mismatch will be and the higher the assistance. A broken spring will therefore always give you maximum assistance at the cost of a few degrees extra play in the steering wheel.
I can imagine that the spring setting in the new steering rack is different, or a new spring is stiffer than the worn out old one. Volvo does give limits in which the assistance should operate. I have seen values of 3.5 to 4.5 Nm at the steering wheel, but I cannot find the source anymore. Nevertheless, the difference between upper and lower value is considerable and certainly noticable, but still within specs.
Also note the advice regarding the right type of oil, although I am not sure if this would affect the steering itself (https://www.skandix.de/en/spare-part...l-1-l/1015964/)

richiekuk · Jan 4th, 2024, 14:14

[QUOTE=griston64;2928155]Prob just because the old one was knackered ? Assume it was leaking hyd fluid ?[/Q

Yes the old one was leaking.
Its not too heavy. Just I expected it to be lighter.

Dec 21st, 2023, 15:35	#1
richiekuk Junior Member Last Online: Today 22:44 Join Date: Oct 2023 Location: Lincoln	New steering rack. Stiffer steering. So I fitted, bled and tested a new steering rack yesterday. I found the steering to be lot harder than I remembered. Is this normal? Will it "bed in"? Or are they all like this? I've just had a wheel alignment done. And the guys never said a word. Maybe the other one was too light?

Dec 22nd, 2023, 10:00	#4
Rversteeg Master Member Last Online: Today 16:20 Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Amersfoort (NL)	Stiffer steering I don't know how this particular steering rack is designed, but in general the level of power assistance is determined by a spring in the hydraulic system. You can feel the spring action when the wheels reach full lock, you can just turn the steering wheel a little further. The further you turn it, the more oil is admitted and the more assistance you get. You do not feel this during normal driving, but also in that case you turn the steering wheel slighter further than the wheels follow. The more resistance you get from the wheels, the greater this mismatch will be and the higher the assistance. A broken spring will therefore always give you maximum assistance at the cost of a few degrees extra play in the steering wheel. I can imagine that the spring setting in the new steering rack is different, or a new spring is stiffer than the worn out old one. Volvo does give limits in which the assistance should operate. I have seen values of 3.5 to 4.5 Nm at the steering wheel, but I cannot find the source anymore. Nevertheless, the difference between upper and lower value is considerable and certainly noticable, but still within specs. Also note the advice regarding the right type of oil, although I am not sure if this would affect the steering itself (https://www.skandix.de/en/spare-part...l-1-l/1015964/)

Dec 21st, 2023, 18:15	#2
Mertz Member Last Online: Today 21:30 Join Date: Nov 2022 Location: Peterborough	I had a new rack and fitted it in September. It felt a little tighter to drive but certainly not difficult or radically different from the old worn unit.

Jan 4th, 2024, 14:14	#5
richiekuk Junior Member Last Online: Today 22:44 Join Date: Oct 2023 Location: Lincoln	[QUOTE=griston64;2928155]Prob just because the old one was knackered ? Assume it was leaking hyd fluid ?[/Q Yes the old one was leaking. Its not too heavy. Just I expected it to be lighter.

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