V70: Information Heavy power steering at idle

[Turbodave]

I have a 2008 XC70 with the standard power steering, ie it doesn't have the variable assistance function or anything fancy like that.

Few weeks back, the steering started going heavy... more so in reverse / low speed manoeuvring and I could hear a very faint whine that increased in pitch with the revs but it was very very slight.

I've since drained the system, refilled with MVCHF and repeated twice so the fluid has gone from a muddy brown to a nice clean green and I've cleaned out the tank and the internal filter thing.

When purging the system, ie going lock to lock the steering is fine and the pump isn't whining excessively however it's still going heavy at low speeds, more so reverse. There's no air in the system and it feels fine to drive normally.

Research is pointing towards the pump but just before I go and spend some money, can anybody shed any light or offer any words of wisdom?

Cheers

[zapcity1]

Good thread here relating to pump/pipework/fluid problems.

https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showt...=275363&page=2

I had the same symptoms, so went throught the same process as you changing fluid with no improvement.

In the end mine need a refurb rack and all sorted now.

[Clan]

Originally Posted by Turbodave

I have a 2008 XC70 with the standard power steering, ie it doesn't have the variable assistance function or anything fancy like that.

Few weeks back, the steering started going heavy... more so in reverse / low speed manoeuvring and I could hear a very faint whine that increased in pitch with the revs but it was very very slight.

I've since drained the system, refilled with MVCHF and repeated twice so the fluid has gone from a muddy brown to a nice clean green and I've cleaned out the tank and the internal filter thing.

When purging the system, ie going lock to lock the steering is fine and the pump isn't whining excessively however it's still going heavy at low speeds, more so reverse. There's no air in the system and it feels fine to drive normally.

Research is pointing towards the pump but just before I go and spend some money, can anybody shed any light or offer any words of wisdom?

Cheers

This is usually the pump worn if the assistance comes back when you rev the engine ...

Your dealer has the kit for testing the max pressure of the pump which should be 120 bar ...

[AlexV70Drive1]

From reading what you’ve typed here I’d say it’s your steering rack that could be at fault or the pump but check to see if the rack is leaking into the steering rack gaters which may hide fluid leaks but will end up splitting because of the fluid inside it.

[Turbodave]

Thanks, though in pretty confident it's not leaking around the rack - no evidence of leaks and the fluid level hasn't moved in the past 10,000 miles and the rack seems smooth lock to lock.

The thing I'm finding a bit odd is that it comes and goes... almost as if it's got electric assistance that randomly doesn't work. Granted, the is a more noticeable whine from the pump (more so when in gear and engine braking) but as far as assistance goes, it's been fine for the past couple of days but will sporadically drop out.

Just can't quite get my head round why that'd be happening as it's a mechanically driven pump so should be a fairly constant thing. Somebody mentioned that under load, the fluid is diverted round the rack or similar... part of me wonders if there's a bypass valve that is randomly not providing assistance or something like that, but I don't think so.

Just loathed to invest in a pump (and belt, tensioner, fluid) if there's more to it though equally, I can't just blank cheque it and replace everything in full blown carpet bomb diagnostics mode...

[Clan]

Originally Posted by Turbodave

Thanks, though in pretty confident it's not leaking around the rack - no evidence of leaks and the fluid level hasn't moved in the past 10,000 miles and the rack seems smooth lock to lock.

The thing I'm finding a bit odd is that it comes and goes... almost as if it's got electric assistance that randomly doesn't work. Granted, the is a more noticeable whine from the pump (more so when in gear and engine braking) but as far as assistance goes, it's been fine for the past couple of days but will sporadically drop out.

Just can't quite get my head round why that'd be happening as it's a mechanically driven pump so should be a fairly constant thing. Somebody mentioned that under load, the fluid is diverted round the rack or similar... part of me wonders if there's a bypass valve that is randomly not providing assistance or something like that, but I don't think so.

Just loathed to invest in a pump (and belt, tensioner, fluid) if there's more to it though equally, I can't just blank cheque it and replace everything in full blown carpet bomb diagnostics mode...

you need to get the pump Max pressure checked volvo should have the gauges to check it ,

[Turbodave]

Cheers, though just now that's easier said than done but I have a reasonable local chap who may have such a thing I could borrow.

[Clan]

Originally Posted by Turbodave

Cheers, though just now that's easier said than done but I have a reasonable local chap who may have such a thing I could borrow.

Its the ford system so maybe he has ..

[zoomies]

So TurboDave,

What was the problem and fix in the end? (My car has identical problems).

Many thanks!

[Martin Cox]

My 2008 V70 2.4D had exactly the same problem. A diagnostic pressure check confirmed a faulty pump. The pump was replaced which cured the problem.

Martin