2001 V70 non-turbo Power Steering question

Post by **worldbound4now** » 25 Nov 2008, 07:59

My power steering makes an unusually high amount of noise when turning. The noise is absent when driving straight or sitting still. It is a high frequency whirring sound that is most prominent when at low engine RPM's, noticed the most when decelerating around a 270 degree cloverleaf exit ramp from freeway speed. My power steering fluid level is fine.

On reading prior posts, I see that this is more likely a rack issue and not the pump (darn), so I started shopping around for both.

Things I found that raised more questions......

I see there is a power steering filter in some parts lists. Where is this on the car and could restricted flow from a plugged filter be causing the noise?

Is the noise still possibly from the pump? Changing the pump looks to be a cake walk compared to changing the rack.

How can I tell if the car has "variable assist" to ensure I purchase the correct rack for my vehicle?

Does changing the rack on a V70 require any special tools or just some tight spaces and an alignment when completed? Wondering if this could be done in my garage or if needed to be done at a real shop....

Thank you for your replies!

worldbound4now

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 25 Nov 2008, 15:27

This sounds more like a wheel bearing than power steering. Jack up the car with jack stands and then spin the wheel to see if the sound is duplicated at all.

Post by **worldbound4now** » 25 Nov 2008, 21:05

I'll give this a try, but it it was a wheel bearing wouldn't it make the sound going in a straight line as well, just less pronounced?

In a straight line I have almost no detectable extra noise. It's only present when turning. Also, the reverberations tickle my feet on the floorboards more than they are felt up through the steering column. Not sure if this helps any, but it's what happens.

Also, the frequency of the vibration/whirring felt directly is correlated with engine RPM, not ground speed. I failed to mention that in the first post.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 25 Nov 2008, 21:33

If the whirring is unrelated to the rotation of the wheel, then no, it wouldn't be the wheel bearing. But when they do start to go, more weight on that particular wheel (such as when turning) will make the sound pronounced or audible when it isn't going straight.

Post by **worldbound4now** » 03 Dec 2008, 12:23

I've been nosing under the hood a bit to see if I can visually see any problem. I see the region where the shaft exits the power steering pump towards the pully is moist and dirty, dirt/oil has accumulated on top of my alternator and a/c pump, and dirt/oil has accumulated on the lower front side of the engine.

My power steering fluid level is still in the "normal" range, but it is a brown color. Isn't all power steering fluid in the V70 a simple dextron/mercron ATF fluid? Shouldn't it be red?

So... leaking power steering pump.... sounds like I have a replacement job on my hands, but it appears to be a job I can do in the garage and not in an expensive shop. What do you think?

Post by **JRL** » 03 Dec 2008, 14:42

There is only one rack for an 01, no variable assist until 2004

Post by **worldbound4now** » 08 Dec 2008, 22:50

JRL wrote:There is only one rack for an 01, no variable assist until 2004

Great to know, but odd that the online parts stores do not differentiate when I place my specific year/make/model of car in with my search. Thank you.

Oddly enough, after a fluid change from whatever that brown fluid was to good old ATF, the power steering is working great. Almost silent. I wonder what the former owner of this car had in there.

I may perform one more flush/fill to get all the old crap out and continue to observe my weeping pump.

Thanks again!

howardc64 · Post by **howardc64** » 13 Dec 2008, 21:35

Having just done my rack+pump on my 01 V70 T5, here is what I can tell you

- PS fluid is CHF-11S. Manual says ATF and its wrong. ATF could be harmful to your rack's seals. Diff people have diff opinions. I read the seal materials are different for ATF (older racks) than newer racks on the European cars (mostly went to CHF-11S)

You sound like you had

- bad PS fluid
- leaks near the pump. The metal pipe exiting the pump is the pressure side. It has an o-ring inside to seal. The hose with the clamp on it is where the PS fluid enters the PS pump from the reservoir.

If you still need rebuild rack etc... I left a bunch of notes below when I replaced my leaky rack. I can tell you how to check for variable assist rack if needed.

http://www.freewebs.com/howardsvolvos/steering.htm