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Hey guys: In the last 3 weeks or so I have noticed an increase in the steering effort particularly when I BEGIN to turn the steering wheel (either right or left). This increased effort does not go away completely with continued running of the vehicle. Cold weather seems to make the steering quite stiff when starting to drive after the vehicle sits overnight. I have not yet found any pronounced tears in the rubber boots that reside on the steering rack ends nor do I see any apparent leaks of hydraulic power steering fluid. The vehicle has 147, 800(+) miles on it and I have recently replaced the inner and outer tie rods / tie rod ends. Also, I had the front suspension control arms replaced. There has existed with some consistency over the last few years a rubbing or groaning noise when turning the steering wheel to execute a sharp low speed turn either when backing up or going forward. Am I experiencing a: power steering pump failure, a steering rack failure, or reservior / hose plugging? Any thoughts on this would be most appreciated. Thanks!
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After viewing all the good responses that I received and thoroughly checking and / or acting on them, I still could not isolate the issue. Finally, took it to my local trusted mechanic. The issue was not the strut bearings, or any suspension issue. Nor was the fluid level, power steering pump, hoses conveying the fluid from the pump to the steering rack, nor the rack itself the real issue. There is however 2 CV joints in the actual steering column, one inside the vehicle ( compartment side of the fire wall) and one outside under the hood exposed to the elements. Needless to say, the outside CV steering column joint was the culprit. My mechanic had the old CV joint on the counter when I picked up my V70 T5 after it was repaired. I could NOT even revolve it with my bare hands!! I cannot imagine what would have happened if I let it go any longer!! $265.63 was the total cost so I felt I got off easy on this one! Thanks for all the great responses!!
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Regarding the steering stiffness, try lubing your steering shaft u-joints with WD-40 while rotating the steering from lock to lock for a few minutes. This might take multiple tries. Start with the lower one. That one in particular is prone to getting road grime etc. on it and they start to seize up which might explain the stiffness. This has happened to both my 240 and 850. The WD-40 works!! Strangely enough this has only happened to my Volvo's and never to any other car brand I've owned...
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buy a cheap turkey baster (or steal one from your wife's kitchen tools), suck out the old, refill with M1 ATF, run it for a bit, suck it out and refill again. That has worked for me over the decades.
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The Family Fleet '90 745 16v; '90 745 GLE; 96 855T; 99 XC, collectively approaching 900,000mi and going strong.
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After viewing all the good responses that I received and thoroughly checking and / or acting on them, I still could not isolate the issue. Finally, took it to my local trusted mechanic. The issue was not the strut bearings, or any suspension issue. Nor was the fluid level, power steering pump, hoses conveying the fluid from the pump to the steering rack, nor the rack itself the real issue. There is however 2 CV joints in the actual steering column, one inside the vehicle ( compartment side of the fire wall) and one outside under the hood exposed to the elements. Needless to say, the outside CV steering column joint was the culprit. My mechanic had the old CV joint on the counter when I picked up my V70 T5 after it was repaired. I could NOT even revolve it with my bare hands!! I cannot imagine what would have happened if I let it go any longer!! $265.63 was the total cost so I felt I got off easy on this one! Thanks for all the great responses!!
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PS fluid doesn't build up very much heat, and when it is below 0F I doubt it will get any warmer than the engine bay. Same is true of your new suspension rubber parts, hard as a rock and not much softer at 20F.
IF, the PS pump is making noise, check the level and clarity. Replacement is one quart of synthetic ATF, for a good flush in 2001. Just don't gorilla the steering wheel when parking, back off one inch when the wheel comes to max turn.
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Keeping it running is better than buying new
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After viewing all the good responses that I received and thoroughly checking and / or acting on them, I still could not isolate the issue. Finally, took it to my local trusted mechanic. The issue was not the strut bearings, or any suspension issue. Nor was the fluid level, power steering pump, hoses conveying the fluid from the pump to the steering rack, nor the rack itself the real issue. There is however 2 CV joints in the actual steering column, one inside the vehicle ( compartment side of the fire wall) and one outside under the hood exposed to the elements. Needless to say, the outside CV steering column joint was the culprit. My mechanic had the old CV joint on the counter when I picked up my V70 T5 after it was repaired. I could NOT even revolve it with my bare hands!! I cannot imagine what would have happened if I let it go any longer!! $265.63 was the total cost so I felt I got off easy on this one! Thanks for all the great responses!!
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A couple questions:
How is your tire pressure and what is the condition of the drive belt ? Since you replaced the control arms, the ball joints must have been replaced. There is also a bearing at the top of the strut. How does it look / sound / feel ?
I have never had a PS pump wear out on any vehicle. If the pump was going bad I would expect it to make some noise or the fluid to become 'dirty'.
Greg
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The groaning noise you describe sounds like it could be a strut mount. Definitely check the bearing and mount at the top of the strut. Years ago my 240 had a similar noise.
Have you ever done struts and or mounts before?
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