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850 power steering stiff 850

posted by  someone claiming to be mark on  Fri Apr 29 19:38 CST 2016 [RELATED]

On my 850 non-turbo with 450K+ miles, and original steering components, I am getting a very heavy steering response. When the car id cold, the steering is fine. After the car is hot and I make a turn - especially at slow speed - the steering resists turning and also seems to 'catch'. Can you tell me of this indicates a bad rack, a bad pump, or perhaps a problem with the steering column universal lines? The fluid level is fine and I dont see any leaks.

Many thanks for any ideas.
mark







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    850 power steering stiff 850

    posted by  sherm on  Thu Jun 2 20:24 CST 2016
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    last visit: Mon Oct 6 20:34 CST 2014
    [RELATED]

    Definite on the M1 ATF suck and fill. Then get a long piece of stiff plastic tubing and get some lube down onto the U-joint as earlier post said. I highly recomm Wurth spray grease HINGE MEDICINE that goes on as liquid and dries to a high quality lube that penetrates the u-joint.
    --
    The Family Fleet '90 745 16v; '90 745 GLE; 96 855T; 99 XC, collectively approaching 900,000mi and going strong.








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    850 power steering stiff 850

    posted by  jwalker on  Sat Apr 30 05:18 CST 2016
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    last visit: Fri Jun 6 08:39 CST 2014
    [RELATED]

    Start with lubing the steering shaft universal u-joint near where it attaches to the rack. Spray with WD-40 as you rotate the steering lock-to-lock for a few minutes. This may take multiple tries. This seems to be the most common cause of stiff steering in Volvo's. BTDT with both my 240 and 850...:)

    Do you hear any loud noises from the PS pump? If you haven't flushed the fluid in a while do that and replace with synthetic. Mobil 1 synthetic ATF works great in my 850's rack. Stopped a seal leak too!








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      850 power steering stiff 850

      posted by  someone claiming to be mark on  Sat Apr 30 09:32 CST 2016 [RELATED]

      Thanks i'm going to do that today. there are no noises, but it definitiely is some kid of 'binding' or sticking so maybe it is that u-joint.

      Also I did flush the fluid a year ago...but I just siphoned out and refilled the resevior a few times - not exactly a flush...aan used ATF. Is there a proper way to drain it completely...I was leery of disconnecting a rack hose. Synthetic sounds like a good idea, and I do have a leak as well ;)








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        850 power steering stiff 850

        posted by  jwalker on  Sun May 1 08:17 CST 2016
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        last visit: Fri Jun 6 08:39 CST 2014
        [RELATED]

        I also did the "siphon with a turkey baster and refill the reservoir" method. I think there is a method for flushing where you release the low pressure line at the PS reservoir then turn your steering wheel lock-to-lock to empty the fluid and later bleed the system of any trapped air. Not sure of the specifics. Maybe someone else will chime in. Try a search here, Matthews Volvo site or google to find more info.

        Oh, I highly recommend synthetic fluid for your PS system. If your rack ever leaks again then just do another flush and fill. I've had to do it twice in the last 4 years on my 855. No leaks at the moment. A lot cheaper than a new rack!!






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