2001 Power steering mystery

MrJoshua · Post by **MrJoshua** » 18 May 2010, 16:31

I have a power steering mystery that I can't seem to solve. The steering goes from normal power assisted to heavy and sluggish at random times, and then goes back to normal. I can be driving along at 40 mph and feel the steering start to get heavy, then within 2-3 minutes, its as if there's no more power steering, and I'm feeling the full weight of the car. Then after a random time it seems to clear itself up, and returns to normal.

The pump is original to the car (2001) and doesn't make any noises when turning, or at low speed. Its quiet in all situations. It doesn't leak either, and doesn't require top ups. I've recently replaced the fluid in the system with new ATF, and turned the wheels to bleed the system. When I start the car in the morning, the power steering always works just fine. If the steering is "heavy" and I park the car to go to the store, I have a 50/50 chance of it working correctly when I come back.

Could there be an air pocket in the hose that's shifting around and sometimes finding its way to the pump ?

Ideas ?

Thanks

jimgrames62 · Post by **jimgrames62** » 18 May 2010, 19:21

sounds like it may possibly be the rack and pinion? try adding 3 to 4 oz of seafoam. i have added it to mine and it definitly helped. my power steering pump quit whinning also.

azroundboy · Post by **azroundboy** » 22 May 2010, 09:57

so add 3-4 oz of seafoam to the power steering res?

MrJoshua · Post by **MrJoshua** » 25 May 2010, 11:53

I though Seafoam was used to clean the system out before replacing the ATF. Will it have any affect on the ATF in the reservoir already ? Will that need to be changed after I add the SF ?

azroundboy · Post by **azroundboy** » 08 Jun 2010, 19:11

everyone I have the same problem on a 2000 Volvo S80 T-6 I did a while back replace a oring at the steering pump that was leaking, I do know there are like 4 other rings that are on the connections to the rack, and as we have seen especially in arizona these orings get destroyed by the heat. I am going to jack mine up and check each one of them to see if one of them is gone (deterirorated) or missing possibly sucked into the system, and maybe this is causing the intermintent power steering issue. Which someone please tell me if I am barking up the right tree but if an oring was gone wouldn't it cause it to bypass and therefore create an internal leak? Anyway I will be getting into that this weekend hopefully but if anyone knows or can chime to to see if i am on the right at least logical track to finding this mystery steering issue.

azroundboy · Post by **azroundboy** » 13 Jun 2010, 09:58

ok for those watching this and I haven't repaired yet stay tuned for that but I did find the leak. Its leaking out of the top hose ( Cooling Coil) i do know there are Orings on both hose ends and if they are like all the rest of the Orings on this car they go away and don't last long. The only problem I have is the space to get to the rack and put a wrench on that hose is so tight I can't even get my hands in there either from the top or bottom. I will be calling volvo or independent shop to see how much the charge to replace those. having the Car on a rack verses jack stands would probably help greatly.

If anyone has any tips or tricks to replace these Orings please advise it would be great appreciated.

azroundboy · Post by **azroundboy** » 13 Jun 2010, 15:49

please someone take a look and provide any input I really don't want to pay anyone 250 to change out two orings

stevick · Post by **stevick** » 19 Jun 2010, 23:17

My 2000 S80 lost power steering with a hugh leak of fluid the other day. I was really sweating thinking I had blown a seal in the rack assembly. Turned out it was the top pressure line that had vibrated loose on the rack. I was able to reach it by hand (barely) and tighten it finger-tight and snug it with a 19mm open end wrench. Added fluid, 10-20 full turns side-to-side (on jack stands), and all was well again. I apparently did not have an issue with the o-ring, but yours too might only need a good tightening. It is reachable from above, and if necessary you can loosen/remove the tranny fluid dipstick tube bracket.