Steering problems after new clutch fitted

[SimonMvolvo]

Hi folks,
I have a 2011 V60 2L D3 in which my local garage fitted a new clutch, DMF and EGR cooler. When I got the car back from them the steering is very heavy at slow speeds and gets lighter as the speed increases.

The garage suggested that the power steering pump had lost output pressure, so I changed the pump (myself) but this has not made any difference.

I have read that there has been issues with other makes when fitting bolts of different lengths in the wrong positions causing a foul to the steering rack, misaliegnment of subframe, and fitting linkages incorrectly etc, but nothing specifically related to Volvos.

My question is, have any of you out there had steering issues after a clutch change, and if so what was the cause found to be? Is this a common problem with a common cause?

[Lancee]

Was 4 wheel tracking carried out after the work was done ?

[SimonMvolvo]

No tracking check to my knowlege but it does go in a straight line and handles ok apart from the heavy steering.

[Lancee]

Originally Posted by SimonMvolvo

No tracking check to my knowlege but it does go in a straight line and handles ok apart from the heavy steering.

I strongly suspect the tracking could have been disturbed when the front nearside suspension was "moved" along with the gearbox etc to fit the new clutch.

Personally I would be checking the tracking, if nothing else in a process of elimination.

[GrahamBrown1]

I’d be having a look at the steering joints and the rack
Fitment. You are correct about bolt length and it damaging the rack if the wrong ones are fitted in the wrong holes. The subframe at a min will have been lowered and the rack disconnected. Some even remove the subframe entirely.

[SimonMvolvo]

Hi Graham thanks for your reply.
There is nothing obviously wrong with the linkages and joints, the steering has a constantly higher than normal load to turn the steering wheel with the road wheels jacked off the ground. There is no great variation or tight spots when turning the wheel.

Yes they did say they had taken the subframe out. I would like to try and inspect to see if the bolts had been installed in the correct positions or otherwise. Could you give me a bit more detail of how and where the the bolts affect/foul the steering rack if incorrectly fitted? so I can take a look before I go back to the garage.

The forum I read about the bolting issue was for the Ford Mondeo, does the Mondeo and V60 share the frontframe and steering design? There was no detail in the Mondeo thread of exactly how it affected the steering rack.

[SimonMvolvo]

Turns out that he Garage has fitted the bolts incorrectly, the wrong length bolt has been fitted to secure the torque rod to the subframe and it has hit the steering rack housing.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/o1Ldr7nbiBWWrt488

[GrahamBrown1]

Originally Posted by SimonMvolvo

Turns out that he Garage has fitted the bolts incorrectly, the wrong length bolt has been fitted to secure the torque rod to the subframe and it has hit the steering rack housing.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/o1Ldr7nbiBWWrt488

Sorry I missed your previous reply, glad they sorted it. Is the rack ok? No damage to the casting? Keep an eye out for any future oil
Leaks.