Sticky Volvo steering

[magster65]

'07 5.7 gxi / dps with power steering (100 hours). It seems fine other than when you first go to move the wheel in either direction there's a little 'stiff' spot. Having it like that makes it difficult to steer when it's choppy.
After it 'breaks free' of its tight spot its one finger effortless... ?
Haven't even looked yet other than there's nothing leaking and the pump is correctly filled with fluid.
Any thoughts or ideas before I dig in?
Thanks!

 

[Don S]

Re: Sticky Volvo steering

Sounds a lot like corrosion. Are you in salt water and water leaks on the steering? Remove the cable from the power steering cylinder and clean the tube and cable end lube it up and see if that cures the problem.

 

[magster65]

Re: Sticky Volvo steering

Sounds a lot like corrosion. Are you in salt water and water leaks on the steering? Remove the cable from the power steering cylinder and clean the tube and cable end lube it up and see if that cures the problem.

There's no sign of any corrosion anywhere but who knows what lurks where you can't see... and the bilge is dry. I'll try what you said regardless.
Thanks.

 

[magster65]

Re: Sticky Volvo steering

No joy.
The cable and tube are spotless and move freely. It has the 'teleflex' type of cable on it and with the motor off I can turn the wheel lock to lock without feeling any sort of binding. I checked for a kink in the cable too but it's routed nicely.
Does this mean there must be a hydraulic valve in the ram that's sticky?
Maybe the pump isn't working correctly?

 

[magster65]

Re: Sticky Volvo steering

Follow-up;
I prefer to figure things out and make a repair or adjustment if needed... but this little problem fixed itself. I can only guess that something was 'funky' in the hydraulics somewhere... ?