2009 power steering very heavy

[cheshired5]

You say you topped it up last week.
The stuff you put in wouldn't have been dark. It would have been bright red or bright blue green or maybe amber.
What did you top up with?

[Ackie1982]

i didn't the garage did so didn't see!

[cheshired5]

Fair enough, so what's the colour of your fluid now?

[Faybo73]

Sorry to dig up an old thread but having the same issues as original post author and have used the search functions but as yet not been able to find a thread where some one says replacing component "x" or "y" fixed this issue.

Has anyone been able to pin down a conclusive answer?

Thanks in advance

[Clan]

Originally Posted by Faybo73

Sorry to dig up an old thread but having the same issues as original post author and have used the search functions but as yet not been able to find a thread where some one says replacing component "x" or "y" fixed this issue.

Has anyone been able to pin down a conclusive answer?

Thanks in advance

low tyre pressures do not help either make sure you have 38 psi in all tyres , it is all positive after that , lighter steering , longer tyre life , beer fuel consumption .

Try revving the engine when the steering is heavy , does it go lighter? If so the pump is worn .

[Faybo73]

Thanks for the reply.

Tire pressures all good, fluid levels good no leaks. Obviously not an issue at speed due to mechanical motion only at very slow and stationery as per original author post.

The pumps seem to be very resilient according to this forum hence my curiosity as there are quite a few posts on the subject with little final conclusion answers.

Would be nice to get some volvo experience before asking the garage to poke around potentially replacing parts not required.

[Clan]

Originally Posted by Faybo73

Thanks for the reply.

Tire pressures all good, fluid levels good no leaks. Obviously not an issue at speed due to mechanical motion only at very slow and stationery as per original author post.

The pumps seem to be very resilient according to this forum hence my curiosity as there are quite a few posts on the subject with little final conclusion answers.

Would be nice to get some volvo experience before asking the garage to poke around potentially replacing parts not required.

it is either the pump or rack . how did you get on with the rev test when the steering is heavy did the steering lighten up when the engine was revved ? You can do all this with a pressure gauge test but it is a very good indication as to the state of the pump itself .

[Faybo73]

Sadly revving the engine in neutral didn't make any difference still stiff.

[Clan]

Originally Posted by Faybo73

Sadly revving the engine in neutral didn't make any difference still stiff.

only two things left before you change the rack , get a Max pressure test done on the pump , It should produce over 120 Bar , it still could be the pressure relief valve in the pump sticking open ..

Finally set the tyre pressures to 36 psi rear and 38 psi front .. try that .

[dave morton]

I had same issues and tried same advice, sadly it turned out to be the pump, no change from £600 from Volvo main dealer....