2006 XC70 Steering System Noises

[bill b]

Hi, Everybody,
Six weeks or so ago I began experiencing very heavy steering. Fluid was full but very dirty. I flushed system. It seemed to help, but the effort to turn the wheel especially at low speed is much too high, and, at a stop, there are creaking noises from the area of the right wheel. I just had one mechanic check for possible problems. I had him change control arms, both had bad bushing, one had a bad ball joint, too. Now, especially when I think of the silvery colored cloud in the drained PS fluid, I am looking at pump and/or rack. Is there any way to tell which component is bad? Mechanic said there was play in the rack.
Does this vehicle have an electronically-controlled variable steering effort?
Thank you.

[oragex]

Welcome to the Forum!

How did he demonstrate the play in the rack? I had three places saying the rack was gone on a car, by shaking the steering wheel with the steering lock on saying look there is play. Since then I'm cautious mechanics turn easily into thief.

For the electrical thing, look near the rack where the steering column gets into it, for an electrical connector. If it has one, it's not uncommon for these to go bad causing hard steering.

If the old fluid wasn't the correct one, it can easily damage the pump which can explain the metal particles. A used pump is not big deal from scrapers or Ebay, 40 min. to replace.

What new fluid did the mechanic put in there? It must absolutely be the CHF 201 or 11 type, shows green on a paper.

As for the control arms and ball joint, did he use Lemforder or Volvo? If not, you may have to replace these again in less than 2 years.

[vtl]

New ZF pump for your chassis number (and mine too) is very expensive. My died two years ago, it had failed bearing, I could clearly hear clicking noise when turning pulley by hand.

As for the rack - remove boots, check for the seal leaks and shaft rust. It can be worn as well if inappropriate or dirty/degraded fluid was there for too long.

[bill b]

Thanks for your kind words and interest.
The mechanic did not give me particulars on play in the rack, but did say he thought it was within normal tolerances.
Yes, I used Pentosin. Yes, he installed Volvo parts. I'll take a look for the electrical connector, but I am quite sure electronic variable assist started in 2007.
Yes, I shall test before changing parts. I like doing things only once, and between the rack and the pump and the new fluid some might consider it a heavy hit. I suspect the PS fluid had never been changed. 150,000 miles, it was very murky and in the sunlight as I said I saw silvery streaks. UGH.

[FCPEURO]

Hi Bill,

If there's play in the rack for sure, I would recommend a replacement.

While replacing the rack you'll also be changing out the fluid anyhow so you'll be killing two birds with one stone.

Another thing you can do at the time of replacement would be to flush fluid through the lines when they're disconnected. Drain the fluid into a container and check it for metal particles using a light.

Last, the reservoirs and hoses are known to leak. You can find our replacement kit on our site, https://www.fcpeuro.com/, HERE: https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/volvo- ... ringkit2p6

I hope that helps and good luck!

If you have any additional questions please feel free to email me at [email protected]

Jason

[bill b]

We have done more work, had one bad, one questionable lower arm, changed both. I can hear the noise clearly now, although sometimes louder than at other times. It is a creaking noise, as if something is binding when turning the wheel. The mechanic did say we have "quite a bit of play" in the rack. With the silver cloud in the old fluid in mind, I am going to change the rack.
Recommendations? New. Reman. Used? I'm not going to try to save $200 and end up with a problem.
Thank you for any advice.