70 series power sterring stiff

Hi All,
Often my s70 has stiff power steering. I have noticed
there is a noise, coming from as best I can tell, the power
steering pump when I listen to the engine with the hood up.

Can anyone offer suggestions to help trouble shoot this. I
have concluded that a replacement pump is a pricey item new
(around $500US) and I would like to replace it in myself, if
I can get a warmer fuzzy feeling that it is in fact the problem.
I want to be sure it is the pump, don't want to swap out the pump
and then find out the pump was not the problem.

I know noise is not normal, so I have a strong suspicion the pump
is the problem.

What can the noise be from: bearings?, pump mechanism?
Is this pump like an oil pump in an engine, gear style?

Are there seals that could have gone bad?

How to trouble shoot this is my question?

Anyone know of any High quality rebuilt power steering pumps?

Thanks for any info anyone can supply.

 

Try adjusting the power steering pump drive belt first. You may find that it
needs replacing and it would be a good idea to replace all the auxiliary
drive belts at the same time.

Cheers, Peter.

 

Thanks for suggestion,
However this model has a single serpentine belt
to drive the accessories. Were you suggesting the
the tensioner might not be doing it's job or perhaps
forgot about the single belt design?

By the way what size square tool is used to deal with
the tensioner.

Fluid level in pump is OK, and serpentine belt is approx
60K miles old.

Still seeking info.

 

Are you sure the level is OK? If the level drops, then the pump beats
some air into the fluid, raising the apparent level. The fluid with air
causes the pump to be noisy. If the fluid is frothy, add some more, the
air will go out of it in a few days. The 1999 and newer ZF pump leaks
often at the front seal, and there's no seal available from Volvo - just
buy a new pump, sir. Otherwise, if the pump is noisy, then there's only
one solution - a new pump.

--
Mike F.
Thornhill (near Toronto), Ont.

Replace tt with t (twice!) and remove parentheses to email me directly.
(But I check the newsgroup more often than this email address.)

 

Thanks Mike!,
I will eagerly check the fluid level again. I do not recall seeing any
froth or entrained air but will be extra observant now that I have been
given a tip to look for this. Is there any particular negative effect of
having a tad more fluid than it should, you know in case I over pour a
bit?

This is an early "98" model and was picked up on mid 1997, fairly close
to as soon as they were available. Any particular comments on pumps of
that era? I have not noticed any fluid leaks so far.

Appreciate the tips from all.

 

The pump used on '98s seems to be better. This is the same pump used on
850s as well, and has a good reliability record.

--
Mike F.
Thornhill (near Toronto), Ont.

Replace tt with t (twice!) and remove parentheses to email me directly.
(But I check the newsgroup more often than this email address.)

 

Hi jr
Before replacing the pump tak a look at the steering column intermediate
shaft, the small universel joint can cause stiff steering.
Per

 

Is it a whining noise? Is the noise worst at full lock (i.e. with the
steering wheel turned fully one way or the other) and/or at very low speed
(e.g. when parking or other slow speed manouvres)? If so, it's likely that
the fluid level is low. If it is the pump itself, you'll hear the noise all
the time.

I made a special tool in the machine shop at work to do the auxiliary drive
belt. The square section needs to be 17 to 17,5 mm across flats in both
directions (hole in the tensioner is 18mm A/F). It is possible to do the job
yourself with a bit of grunting and straining, but if you can get someone
else to hold the tensioner out of the way whilst you lever the belt over the
pulley's it's a lot easier.

 

Per,
Thanks for your suggestion. I expect the small universal joint is in the
engine compartment, rather close to the ground perhaps? I have not
crawlled around under the car lately considering all the snow we have
right now.
JR

 

Since I am not the regular driver of this car, I can not comment on as
many details as I would like to be able to. I have found that the noise
is fairly constant as best I can tell. Seems to not matter if it is at
full lock.

The good news is that I closely examined the fluid level and added about
3/4 of one ounce and drove it a bit making many very slow speed turns
going from one extreme left to extreme right, empty parking lot kind of
stuff. It is much better. There is still some stiffness, but it is much
less. Will further check it after it is fully warmed up and see if the
level is in the happy range when warm.

Thanks for the size on the tool for the tensioner. I wonder if some bar
stock (11/16" sounds like it could work) clamped in a large vise grip
would work? How long a lever arm did you decide to use on your custom
tool? Any comment on the flat of the square stock to the to the angle
of the lever arm?
Thanks
JR

 

Also,
Do you lubricate this small universal joint? If you have, what did you
use for a lubricant? Perhaps you are suggesting replacement?
I look forward to your reply.
JR

 

My 740t suffers from morning sickness below 18 degrees .When cold the
steering is quiet stiff apparently the Teflon bushes wear out ,but as soon
as its warm its fine .In summer its not a problem .P\S ITS A RACK PROBLEM
NOT THE PUMP ON MINE .

 

Not saying you're wrong, but have you tried changing the fluid? Usually when
the rack wears out it gets noisy or leaky, sometimes a lot of play in it,
haven't run into one that gets stiff yet but then it's rarely below 18F
here.

 

Actually I use synthetic Trans oil now which seems to lighten the load its
not a cure though .It is stiff till I use it abit or it idles a minute .A
bit jerky then smooth once warm .Its as if a valve is sticking and suddenly
releases .Fun when you reverse out of a difficult spot be assured .

 

: "jr" <> skrev i en meddelelse
: :> Hi All,
:> Often my s70 has stiff power steering. I have noticed
:> there is a noise, coming from as best I can tell, the power
:> steering pump when I listen to the engine with the hood up.
:>
:> Can anyone offer suggestions to help trouble shoot this. I
:> have concluded that a replacement pump is a pricey item new
:> (around $500US) and I would like to replace it in myself, if
:> I can get a warmer fuzzy feeling that it is in fact the problem.
:> I want to be sure it is the pump, don't want to swap out the pump
:> and then find out the pump was not the problem.
:>
:> I know noise is not normal, so I have a strong suspicion the pump
:> is the problem.
:>
:> What can the noise be from: bearings?, pump mechanism?
:> Is this pump like an oil pump in an engine, gear style?
:>
:> Are there seals that could have gone bad?
:>
:> How to trouble shoot this is my question?
:>
:> Anyone know of any High quality rebuilt power steering pumps?
:>
:> Thanks for any info anyone can supply.

: Hi jr
: Before replacing the pump tak a look at the steering column intermediate
: shaft, the small universel joint can cause stiff steering.
: Per

---

correct! ive had 3-4 240s with lame power steerings... take a 2x4
and place an end on the universal... pound *hard* on it! i dunno
why, but it's cheaper than the pump or the rack, which i once thought
was the problem... the shaft stiffens up at that point... the universal
*is* the culprit.... oh yeah, i've got losta volvo problems with my 240s
but this one is an easy one...

anyone know about fuel blockage before the fuel distributor and after
the main fuelpump... no, it's not the filter... ???

best,

janos sz



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