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Power steering sticks for part of the rotation on 2000 V70 and 2004 XC70

Help, Advice and DIY Tutorials on Volvo's P80 platform cars -- Volvo's 1990s "bread and butter" cars -- powered by the ubiquitous and durable Volvo inline 5-cylinder engine.

1992 - 1997 850, including 850 R, 850 T-5R, 850 T-5, 850 GLT
1997 - 2000 S70, S70 AWD
1997 - 2000 V70, V70 AWD
1997 - 2000 V70-XC
1997 - 2004 C70

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FireFox31
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Power steering sticks for part of the rotation on 2000 V70 and 2004 XC70

Post by FireFox31 »

Hi, my 2000 V70 suddenly has a power steering problem. When rotating the wheel, it encounters resistance around the 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock positions. The resistance feels like I'm out of power steering fluid, though the tank is full. When the car warms up, the resistance goes away.

This same problem is happening on my sister's 2004 XC70, though much worse and a warm engine doesn't resolve it. Her steering system has a leak somewhere, so I don't trust the rack.

Is this just a pump failure? Or is it a failure of my three year old, Volvo dealer installed steering rack?
FireFox31
Blue 2000 V70 NA manual, "the V70" - died, reborn, totaled, donated, stripped
Green 2000 V70 NA automatic, "the G70" - awaiting 2nd rehab
Black 2000 V70 NA automatic, "Geronimo" - rescued, rehabilitating
Blue 1998 V70 T5 manual, "the T5M" - awaiting rehab

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FLXC90
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Post by FLXC90 »

Does it squeak or clunk, maybe at the base of the column? Sounds like a binding u-joint at the rack/column coupler.
Current Volvos:
1998 V70 T5, 112k sat 5 years, still in mechanical coma (finally at the top of the pile )
2004 XC90 T6 AWD: 186k, 60 on transaxle ( traded in )
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wizechatmgr
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Post by wizechatmgr »

If you put it on jack stands, do they still do it? If not, check the steering knuckle/ball joints for binding.
Wisdom requires knowledge as a prerequisite, but knowledge can be developed due to a lack of wisdom.
In order to learn how to fix something, you must first learn how to break it.
1999 V70 XC AWD 2.4 T -- ~231k miles
1998 V70 2.4 NA -- ~184k miles

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FireFox31
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Year and Model: 2000 V70 NA auto
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Post by FireFox31 »

Those are brilliant suggestions. It really does feel like a universal joint binding, compared to when it happens on my wrench. I'll check it out. Thanks!
FireFox31
Blue 2000 V70 NA manual, "the V70" - died, reborn, totaled, donated, stripped
Green 2000 V70 NA automatic, "the G70" - awaiting 2nd rehab
Black 2000 V70 NA automatic, "Geronimo" - rescued, rehabilitating
Blue 1998 V70 T5 manual, "the T5M" - awaiting rehab

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