2002 V70 steering issues

[Canadian Moose]

My 2002 V70 steering is acting up. Hopefully you guys can point me in the right direction. My steering has always been on the tight side which I thought was normal but perhaps not.

About a month ago when I was getting on the highway I felt a dead spot in the wheel. With my wheels pointed straight I could wiggle the steering wheel left and right about an inch with no response from the wheel. Then if I went past that inch of dead play the wheel would become responsive again. This was a bit scary because it feels like the steering is just not there. I started looking for a solution when this happened but then a couple of days later the issue cleared up on it's own. I thought this was weird but never the less, all was well again.

Well fast forward to a couple of weeks ago I started noticing a new symptom. One day when leaving to work my steering got super tight when pulling out of the driveway. It was like it had tight spots all over while turning. Then when driving it felt like it had a mind of its own. Hard spots, not wanting to return to center and just tight to steer. Then the next day it was back to normal. Very weird.

Now couple days later it's tight again.

After doing some research I thought it might be lower steering shaft but wouldn't that be an issue all the time, not sporadic? Looking at it from the top it doesn't look so bad but I decided to swap it out anyway. I got a new shaft from Volvo waiting to go in but I am suspecting this isn't the root cause.

What else could be causing this? I have noticed that my power steering reservoir is always kinda wet around the lid. Could air be getting into the system somehow and causing this problem?

Bad PS pump? Bad rack? Wrong PS fluid?

[oragex]

Geometry can cause vagueness on irregular street surface. A worn ball joint can also do this. Strut bearing mounts also have a good impact on the steering heaviness.

You could possibly have more than an issue. I'd start verifying the lower coupler, undo a 14mm bolt on the steering column, remove the big black boot at the floor - has a spring ring on it, swing the coupler by hand from inside the car.

I'd also check all pulleys on the serpentine belt.

Something that can also happen is a broken/worn subframe bushing - loose feeling. Can see it only by supporting frame and removing the bolt.

A lower strut bolt can also break loose. Then maybe a pump/steering faulty valve?

[buffalo-s60]

I have EXACTLY the same thing... only when the steering wheel "sticks" I can actually hear something click or snap directly behind the steering wheel... 2001 s60.

[jonesg]

I have EXACTLY the same thing... only when the steering wheel "sticks" I can actually hear something click or snap directly behind the steering wheel... 2001 S60.

Have someone turn the steerin wheel whilst you look in the engine bay, look for the universal joint coupler near the rack.
You might also try adjusting the steering wheel angle, it might relieve some binding.

[buffalo-s60]

Hay thanks ! I lifted the wheel all the way up and it's much better tomorrow morning I'll look at the U joint. thanks so much