Good or bad idea: Aftermarket power steering pump for 2008 XC90 3.2 Topic is solved

powersteering · Post by **powersteering** » 27 Apr 2022, 04:17

G'day. First time poster here from Australia. The original power steering pump on my 2008 XC90 was squealing, and it was replaced with an aftermarket part. I'm not sure of the brand, but it was new and not super cheap or anything. It appeared to work fine unless you were at a dead stop or a very slow speed - such as in a parking lot - when it becomes really difficult if not impossible to move. Generally I can deal with it if I can get the wheels to roll a bit, but I'm afraid at some point I'm going to get in a tight spot where I can't roll and the steering will just get stuck. The repair garage thought the replacement pump was just a bad pump, so they replaced it with another one and....same issue. Are XC90s just really fussy with aftermarket power steering pumps?

Anyone else had this problem? The steering rack was recently replaced about four months ago, so I don't think that's the issue. Also, I actually didn't have this problem with the original OEM pump even when it was squealing. I'm a bit torn over what to do now and whether just to put up with it. The garage tried to see if they could get the OEM pump reconditioned, but it turned out there are some pressed bearings or something in it that means it can't be reconditioned. The garage said a new OEM pump is AU$1,800 - US$1,300 - which is outrageous. I'd appreciate any help/advice on this. This XC90 feels like a brand-new car otherwise. I bought it about six months ago. It has just 59,000 miles and has been well-kept.

Post by **pgill** » 27 Apr 2022, 10:08

My recommendation is to replace the power steering reservoir. Inside it has a screen filter that gets clogged and caused problems like what you are having.

https://www.freel2.com/forum/topic25808.html

Good luck

Paul

chitownV · Post by **chitownV** » 27 Apr 2022, 10:42

Unfortunately, due to cost, your options may be limited. The reservoir with the internal screen is a good place to try as mentioned. While a new part is always suggested, the reservoir can be removed and reverse (flow) cleaned with brake fluid to remove dirt and build-up. If you are doing the work, this can offer you a cheaper option to see if the reservoir screen is the issue. If you are having a shop do it, better to get a new reservoir when paying for labor.

Also, are you and the shop putting in the correct fluid, and at any time in the XC90's life has the wrong fluid been used? Sometimes there are incompatibilities with different fluids and the entire system needs to be flushed very well. My U.S. 2008 XC90 3.2 uses CHF 11S, but can also use CHF 202 as it is compatible.

powersteering · Post by **powersteering** » 29 Apr 2022, 00:45

Thanks for responding. I took it back to the garage, and they cleaned the reservoir filter. They said it was just barely dirty. Maybe I should completely replace it anyway?

My recommendation is to replace the power steering reservoir. Inside it has a screen filter that gets clogged and caused problems like what you are having.

https://www.freel2.com/forum/topic25808.html

Good luck

Paul
[/quote]

powersteering · Post by **powersteering** » 29 Apr 2022, 00:51

Hi - thanks for responding. I took it back to the garage and they cleaned the reservoir filter screen. They said it was barely dirty. It still steers heavy at low speeds or a dead stop.

I'm not sure if the wrong fluid has ever been used. But the steering rack was replaced recently, so everything has been flushed and flushed again. Maybe try a new reservoir?

I called the local Volvo dealership, and they were a bit stumped. They suggested just trying a used OEM part due to the cost of a new one and see if that resolves the problem. The guy there was super nice and actually I was surprised he recommended that. Thanks again.

chitownV wrote: ↑27 Apr 2022, 10:42 Unfortunately, due to cost, your options may be limited. The reservoir with the internal screen is a good place to try as mentioned. While a new part is always suggested, the reservoir can be removed and reverse (flow) cleaned with brake fluid to remove dirt and build-up. If you are doing the work, this can offer you a cheaper option to see if the reservoir screen is the issue. If you are having a shop do it, better to get a new reservoir when paying for labor.

Also, are you and the shop putting in the correct fluid, and at any time in the XC90's life has the wrong fluid been used? Sometimes there are incompatibilities with different fluids and the entire system needs to be flushed very well. My U.S. 2008 XC90 3.2 uses CHF 11S, but can also use CHF 202 as it is compatible.

Post by **pgill** » 06 May 2022, 17:32

Watch this video

It explains how the system works.

Try this

In a parking lot with the car rolling (10 miles per hour or so) put the transmission in neutral and raise the RPM of the engine to 2500 does that fix your problem?

Good luck

Paul

chitownV · Post by **chitownV** » 07 May 2022, 17:34

powersteering wrote: ↑29 Apr 2022, 00:51 Hi - thanks for responding. I took it back to the garage and they cleaned the reservoir filter screen. They said it was barely dirty. It still steers heavy at low speeds or a dead stop.

I'm not sure if the wrong fluid has ever been used. But the steering rack was replaced recently, so everything has been flushed and flushed again. Maybe try a new reservoir?

I called the local Volvo dealership, and they were a bit stumped. They suggested just trying a used OEM part due to the cost of a new one and see if that resolves the problem. The guy there was super nice and actually I was surprised he recommended that. Thanks again.

chitownV wrote: ↑27 Apr 2022, 10:42 Unfortunately, due to cost, your options may be limited. The reservoir with the internal screen is a good place to try as mentioned. While a new part is always suggested, the reservoir can be removed and reverse (flow) cleaned with brake fluid to remove dirt and build-up. If you are doing the work, this can offer you a cheaper option to see if the reservoir screen is the issue. If you are having a shop do it, better to get a new reservoir when paying for labor.

Also, are you and the shop putting in the correct fluid, and at any time in the XC90's life has the wrong fluid been used? Sometimes there are incompatibilities with different fluids and the entire system needs to be flushed very well. My U.S. 2008 XC90 3.2 uses CHF 11S, but can also use CHF 202 as it is compatible.

Trying a good working used OEM one might be the ticket to getting the correct pump and making it affordable.

The pressure relief valve of a rebuilt power steering pump could be stuck (or broken) and thus reducing hydraulic pressure at low rpms. It's supposed to limit & regulate pressure as the rpms spin higher since the pump is spinning faster. A rebuilt unit might not address the relief valve and only change over bearings and seals.

A (new) aftermarket part might not have the right pump design, flow, or pressure for the XC90. For example regarding aftermarket, I did a quick search for the original Volvo 3.2 power steering pumps for the XC90 and the parts description shows it's XC90 specific. It doesn't list any other models, such as XC70 or S80. So, with the extra weight and generally wider tire on the XC90 it might need more hydraulic pressure at idle rpms to steer. The design of the aftermarket power steering pump could be based on a non-XC90 model.