Power Steering Buzzing Sound

svendyensen · Post by **svendyensen** » 14 Nov 2008, 07:09

Hello All,
I have a '98 V70 with 222,000 miles on it. On my way to work today (it was raining, if that matters), i started hearing this buzzing sound coming from the engine compartment whenever I turned the steering wheel. When I got to work I opened the hood and turned the steering wheel and the buzzing sound is loudest directly above the steering fluid reservoir. My steering still feels the same, so I think the power steering is working, but the sound is cause for concern. I'm located in Rhode Island, USA. Any ideas?

mcp · Post by **mcp** » 14 Nov 2008, 08:45

Sounds like it is low on power steering fluid.

From Bay 13 on Volvospeed.com:
"Check the level of the fluid and adjust as needed. The fluid is type "F" transmission fluid."

Mike-Halewai · Post by **Mike-Halewai** » 14 Nov 2008, 09:57

last poster sounds right indeed - sounds low on PS fluid. You should top it up; check it after a couple of days to ensure that you don't have a serious leak.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 14 Nov 2008, 17:47

You could also flush it (instructions in the repair database) or you could suck out the old with a turkey baster and then replace...I tend to do this about every other oil change for good measure.

svendyensen · Post by **svendyensen** » 17 Nov 2008, 17:24

Ok, so on Friday I added more ATF to the power steering fluid reservoir, which seemed to be pretty low. On Saturday afternoon, I went for a drive, and a couple miles into my trip, the buzzing was back. Right now I have the car jacked up and am looking at the underside. It looks like there is fluid leaking significantly from one end of the steering cylinder (the part that has the flexible rubber/plastic guard over it) and leaking slightly from the other end. Now I am wondering if I used the wrong Fluid as it called from ATF type 7, but I just used the ATF Dextron stuff that I use for the transmission Fluid. So, I'm wondering what exactly is leaking, as I cannot see behind the rubber/plastic shield. Any Ideas? Do i need to replace the whole cylinder? Is it ok to drive for the week or do I need to get it fixed immediately? Thanks.

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 17 Nov 2008, 19:20

From your description it sounds like you have a seal leak in the rack. They can be re-sealed but it is a 10 hammer job - just pulling the rack is about a 6 hammer job on top of it.

FCP has a great rebuilt rack for a reasonable price.

If you want to try to re-seal the rack a link is here:

http://volvospeed.com/Repair/power_steering.pdf

Note that this is for a right hand drive car and the procedure is somewhat different for a left hand drive car. It will give you the basics for what is involved.

...Lee