2009 power steering very heavy

Ackie1982 · Dec 13th, 2014, 15:30

Hi, my 2009 xc90 has very heavy power steering and seems to be getting heavier! Sometimes when trying to park or manuver at low speeds it's so heavy you can't turn the wheel, it doesn't help if you put a few revs on either! I've checked the recall list on the vosa website! Any advice would be greatly received

cheshired5 · Dec 14th, 2014, 12:21

Take a sample of your power steering fluid from the reservoir and describe the colour and smell.
Also, what is the level on the pas dipstick?

oragex · Dec 15th, 2014, 00:32

As mentioned, probably related to wrong/missing fluid. How many miles since acquired the vehicle?

diro · Dec 16th, 2014, 11:12

Get under a car, remove engine guard, locate steering column. Column is linked with steering shaft which you spin using steering wheel. On that shaft you'll see cross-joint + . Spray that cross-joint with WD40. It should help for a while or even a long while.
Part No5 in picture
joint.jpeg

Ackie1982 · Dec 16th, 2014, 18:04

Thanks for the replies! I have had the car to the garage today as the pas fluid is low and it was only topped up last week. It is getting looked at on Thursday so will keep you updated

Rooster · Dec 16th, 2014, 18:27

Power steering oil cooler on front of rack pack near skid plate damp by any chance,

They are right in firing line for stones thrown up from other cars

Ackie1982 · Dec 17th, 2014, 05:51

Can't see any signs of leaks all looks clean under the bonnet! And no signs of any drops on the drive

Ackie1982 · Dec 18th, 2014, 09:55

i took her to the garage this morning. Now just waiting on a phone call with a diagnosis

cheshired5 · Dec 18th, 2014, 12:00

What colour and type of fluid were you putting in?

Ackie1982 · Dec 18th, 2014, 16:20

As far as I can tell its its a dark colour! It's come back from the garage with no fault or leak found so Im none the wiser with steering problem, but now as I was driving before the message engine system service required appeared, so I nipped to my local Volvo specialist and he plunged it in and said it was the swirl arm and it has broken!

Dec 13th, 2014, 15:30	#1
Ackie1982 New Member Last Online: Jul 29th, 2016 19:03 Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Manchester	2009 power steering very heavy Hi, my 2009 xc90 has very heavy power steering and seems to be getting heavier! Sometimes when trying to park or manuver at low speeds it's so heavy you can't turn the wheel, it doesn't help if you put a few revs on either! I've checked the recall list on the vosa website! Any advice would be greatly received

Dec 14th, 2014, 12:21	#2
cheshired5 Premier Member Last Online: Dec 26th, 2021 13:42 Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Crewe	Take a sample of your power steering fluid from the reservoir and describe the colour and smell. Also, what is the level on the pas dipstick? __________________ 2002 S60 SE D5 Manual 209000 miles

Dec 15th, 2014, 00:32	#3
oragex Premier Member Last Online: Jul 26th, 2021 21:24 Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Coldnada	As mentioned, probably related to wrong/missing fluid. How many miles since acquired the vehicle? __________________ Several Volvo Repair Videos https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...ECTts0FSVSOT_c

Dec 16th, 2014, 11:12	#4
diro Member Last Online: Nov 2nd, 2020 19:59 Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Norwich	Get under a car, remove engine guard, locate steering column. Column is linked with steering shaft which you spin using steering wheel. On that shaft you'll see cross-joint + . Spray that cross-joint with WD40. It should help for a while or even a long while. Part No5 in picture joint.jpeg __________________ S40 T4 1998 XC90 D5 R-Design 2008; 215 bhp; 475Nm - SOLD

Dec 16th, 2014, 18:27	#6
Rooster Speed freak Last Online: Apr 3rd, 2020 22:04 Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Yorkshire	Power steering oil cooler on front of rack pack near skid plate damp by any chance, They are right in firing line for stones thrown up from other cars __________________ 04 XC90 D5 --- Big bus 00 pug 306HDi --- Run about 88 pug 309GTi --- Project track car 07 CB600 Hornet --- 2 wheel fun

Dec 16th, 2014, 18:04	#5
Ackie1982 New Member Last Online: Jul 29th, 2016 19:03 Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Manchester	Thanks for the replies! I have had the car to the garage today as the pas fluid is low and it was only topped up last week. It is getting looked at on Thursday so will keep you updated

Dec 17th, 2014, 05:51	#7
Ackie1982 New Member Last Online: Jul 29th, 2016 19:03 Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Manchester	Can't see any signs of leaks all looks clean under the bonnet! And no signs of any drops on the drive

Dec 18th, 2014, 09:55	#8
Ackie1982 New Member Last Online: Jul 29th, 2016 19:03 Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Manchester	i took her to the garage this morning. Now just waiting on a phone call with a diagnosis

Dec 18th, 2014, 12:00	#9
cheshired5 Premier Member Last Online: Dec 26th, 2021 13:42 Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Crewe	What colour and type of fluid were you putting in? __________________ 2002 S60 SE D5 Manual 209000 miles

Dec 18th, 2014, 16:20	#10
Ackie1982 New Member Last Online: Jul 29th, 2016 19:03 Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Manchester	As far as I can tell its its a dark colour! It's come back from the garage with no fault or leak found so Im none the wiser with steering problem, but now as I was driving before the message engine system service required appeared, so I nipped to my local Volvo specialist and he plunged it in and said it was the swirl arm and it has broken!

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