Odd noise and steering wheel pulations

Nulluser00 · Post by **Nulluser00** » 30 Oct 2019, 10:34

I've recently "repaired" a 2002 Volvo S60 that has sat for just over a year. The car runs fine but I think either the serpentine belt, or something driven by it, is making more noise then I'd expect. When I turn I feel a very weak pulsation in the steering wheel.

A coworker suggested the tires might have developed flat spots from setting for a year. That might explain the odd "pulsation" I feel when I turn the steering wheel. The local tire shop says if that's the case the flat spots will disappear but because the weather has gotten chilly it could take several weeks to a month.

On the highway the car tracks straight with my hands just touching the steering wheel.

I can't be sure because the car was running so rough when it was given to me, but I don't think the noise wasn't there before I put it in storage.

Are there any driven components likely to fail in a year of sitting? I've inspected the belt as well as I can and it look fine. I can't see anything touching the belt or any driven part.

Does anyone have any ideas?

Thank you
Noel

Post by **chrism** » 30 Oct 2019, 11:10

The cause of both the noise and the pulsating power steering may one in the same. Maybe the belt has stretched to the limit of the tensioner or maybe the belt is just very dry, either one causing the belt to slip on the P/S pump pulley? With the engine idling have an assistant crank the steering wheel back and forth while you watch the pump pulley. Can you detect any slippage by just watching it?

Nulluser00 · Post by **Nulluser00** » 30 Oct 2019, 12:46

I will have to wait until Saturday to do the test. We have a rush project at work. Another consultancy dropped the ball and we have 72 hours to straighten out their mess.
If it is the belt, what nightmare am I looking at if I decide to change it myself?
Thanks
Thank you

Post by **MoVolvos** » 30 Oct 2019, 13:07

Try also treating the 2 issues separately. A flat spot will cause a shimmy in the steering wheel or bounce in the car. Depending on the age of the tire try and inflate the tire to 4PSI below Max. If it is an older tire as in 3 to 4 years old from the manufacturing date don't inflate it so high.

Flat spots occur on the side walls so at a higher inflation you may not feel the Pulsation as much.

Pulsation when turning the steering wheel for a car that has been sitting is most likely a flat spot.

Post by **oragex** » 30 Oct 2019, 13:28

May also look inside the reservoir, see if the top return hose nipple has detached somehow and felt inside

To check the pulleys, best is to remove the belt - see on youtube, and turn all pulleys by hand - the alternator will turn both ways (youtube)

Also look under the top washer of the strut, see if the spring seat is cracked www.youtube.com/watch?v=kj4JmZS2yM4

Post by **abscate** » 30 Oct 2019, 17:39

Flat spots on the tires will come out in about an hour of highway driving unless the temperature is really Arctic.

Leave the SERP belt alone for now, they last a long time

You can change the PS fluid with a cheap turkey baster, use Pentosin 205? To replace

Nulluser00 · Post by **Nulluser00** » 01 Nov 2019, 08:10

I wish to thank everyone for their suggestion. It should warm up next week and I'll drive to car to and from work everyday.
I will check the belt Saturday just in case and I'll check the power steering resovoir. I've already picked up fluid from the local Volvo dealer and ouch that was expensive, Nice to know there is an alternative. Changed the old when I parked it and will change it again Saturday.
I'll let everyone know how it goes

Post by **MoVolvos** » 01 Nov 2019, 22:00

Nulluser00 wrote: 01 Nov 2019, 08:10 I've already picked up fluid from the local Volvo dealer and ouch that was expensive, Nice to know there is an alternative.
I'll let everyone know how it goes

Use a generic ATF as a Flush before you put in the Volvo.

Testing belt and pulley with Spray Test

Nulluser00 · Post by **Nulluser00** » 04 Nov 2019, 05:59

I wish to thank everyone for their advice. I really should have taken the free flu shot but I was "too busy to bother." It will be next weekend at the earliest before I'm up to thinking.

I was able to do one test. With the S60 parked in soft mud I turned the engine on and turned the steering wheel. The same shudder appeared and I could hear "strange noises" coming from under the hood. I've disconnected the battery and decided to crawl under a rock and hide until I feel better.

I've downloaded the youtube videos suggested by MoVolvos and will watch them when I'm able to think. I don't mind the fever, chills and tossing my cookies half as much as the way my brain is swaddled in fluffy cotton.

A cousin is loading me down with elderberry extract which she assures me is a potent antiviral. Since she's a nurse practitioner I'll consider her to be a few steps above a shaman or 'herb woman.'

I will work on the S60 when I'm up to it. Another cousin has driven to her heated garage so I should be able to work even as the weather here in Central Kentucky takes a nose dive.

I have not checked the power steering fluid level, color or for the broken off nozzle. That was simply a step too far. At least we finished our "must do" project so there's no pressure from work and I let the university know they'd have to have some other 'slave' to Teaching Assistant two intro EE classes. I got roped in when a classmate had to have surgery.

Again, please accept my thanks and gratitude. Give me a project to design 250KV transmission system with a couple of substations any day over working on cars...

Post by **MoVolvos** » 04 Nov 2019, 16:42

Nulluser00 wrote: 04 Nov 2019, 05:59
A cousin is loading me down with elderberry extract which she assures me is a potent antiviral. Since she's a nurse practitioner I'll consider her to be a few steps above a shaman or 'herb woman.'

I will work on the S60 when I'm up to it. Another cousin has driven to her heated garage so I should be able to work even as the weather here in Central Kentucky takes a nose dive.

Again, please accept my thanks and gratitude. Give me a project to design 250KV transmission system with a couple of substations any day over working on cars...

It's nice to have relatives especially cousins who are able to help out. I've seen some miraculous things with herbs when the practitioner knows what they are doing.
Maybe you can get a job helping PG&E in CA. I use to work for a firm which PG&E contracted. My job was to crunch numbers for a PG&E Engineer on Gas Transmission Projects. You can help them to redesign transmission systems that won't start fires so easily.
Hope you feel well soon.