Heavy steering

clonagam

The car is a 2008 Volvo V70 D5 SE G auto diesel 2.4L. The tyres are Continental 245/40 Y 18 Sport Contact.

Recently, the steering has become very heavy. It is not noticeable at normal speeds but becomes arm-wrenching difficult when parking or manoeuvring at low engine revs.

The power steering reservoir is kept properly topped up.

Any ideas on the cause of this deterioration/ and/or/ suggestions for its remedy?

H3llR4iser

Most obvious culprit would be the power steering pump - any noise change you can perceive when turning the wheels with a stationary car?

Hopefully it's not the steering rack itself. Your best bet is to get the issue diagnosed asap in a garage, I wouldn't feel too confident going around in a car with steering issues, to be honest.

Atlantic Dawn

I presume you have checked that the correct tyre pressure is in both tyres?

clonagam

Thanks for these helpful suggestions.

I should have stated that I run the tyres on eco pressures (38 p.s.i) and check them regularly.

As for safety issues, the steering is precise (and light) except when manoeuvring slowly.

The wide footprint of the tyres may be a factor here and perhaps my arms are getting weaker!........

What is the difficulty level in replacing the pump? the rack would seem to be out of my league.

H3llR4iser

clonagam wrote: »

Thanks for these helpful suggestions.

I should have stated that I run the tyres on eco pressures (38 p.s.i) and check them regularly.

As for safety issues, the steering is precise (and light) except when manoeuvring slowly.

The wide footprint of the tyres may be a factor here and perhaps my arms are getting weaker!........

What is the difficulty level in replacing the pump? the rack would seem to be out of my league.

Well, the issue here is that there is a change from the norm or "what it used to be", which logically points to something "evolving" in the system. The fluid is usually the first suspect, but you said it's ok; Tire pressures seem not to be an issue either - so next step is the pump.

Changing it can be a pain or a breeze, depends on where it is actually located - I'm not familiar with the Volvo's layout. My urge to caution is that if it indeed turns out to be the pump, it might fail and leave you suddenly without power steering.

The rack is a subframe out job on many cars, definitely needs inspection bridge / garage equipment!

clonagam

good advice -many thanks.

I'll have it checked out professionally.

clonagam

Rounding out my OP.

Checked in to a main dealer repair shop today. €99.88 for initial diagnosis and subsequently €763.57 to fit a new servo pump, new fluid reservoir, fluid and labour. Total setback €863.45 - ouch!

Am I alone in regretting the way that main dealers nowadays interpose a middleman between the customer and the workshop manager or mechanic who actually undertake the job? You no longer can discuss matters directly with the person who gets the fingers dirty. You are corralled into an air-conditioned reception area staffed with well-dressed office persons who have no first-hand knowledge of the work that's being done. Even a brief first-hand resume of the work by the workshop manager or mechanic would be much appreciated as a customer-friendly move!

spyderski

clonagam wrote: »

Rounding out my OP.

Checked in to a main dealer repair shop today. €99.88 for initial diagnosis and subsequently €763.57 to fit a new servo pump, new fluid reservoir, fluid and labour. Total setback €863.45 - ouch!

Am I alone in regretting the way that main dealers nowadays interpose a middleman between the customer and the workshop manager or mechanic who actually undertake the job? You no longer can discuss matters directly with the person who gets the fingers dirty. You are corralled into an air-conditioned reception area staffed with well-dressed office persons who have no first-hand knowledge of the work that's being done. Even a brief first-hand resume of the work by the workshop manager or mechanic would be much appreciated as a customer-friendly move!

In fairness, bringing a 9 year-old Volvo into a main dealer is never going to be a cost-effective course of action.

bazz26

Unfortunately Volvo parts can be expensive and in some cases they can only be got through a main dealer.

mickdw

clonagam wrote: »

Rounding out my OP.

Checked in to a main dealer repair shop today. €99.88 for initial diagnosis and subsequently €763.57 to fit a new servo pump, new fluid reservoir, fluid and labour. Total setback €863.45 - ouch!

Am I alone in regretting the way that main dealers nowadays interpose a middleman between the customer and the workshop manager or mechanic who actually undertake the job? You no longer can discuss matters directly with the person who gets the fingers dirty. You are corralled into an air-conditioned reception area staffed with well-dressed office persons who have no first-hand knowledge of the work that's being done. Even a brief first-hand resume of the work by the workshop manager or mechanic would be much appreciated as a customer-friendly move!

To be fair, I've often spoken to the actual mechanic at audi dealer even though you deal through a service rep.
Just ask to speak to mechanic.

James Bond Junior

bazz26 wrote: »

Unfortunately Volvo parts can be expensive and in some cases they can only be got through a main dealer.

I had to get a reluctor ring for my S60 fitted today. Volvo only part which cost me €50 even with a trade discount. www.volvopartshop.com can be quite good for Volvo parts at slightly better value than main dealer prices.

spyderski

I had to buy a rear door quarter light assembly for a 07 Saab 9-5 estate last year. Dealer only part also. €560. Got it from a Saab specialist breaker in the U.K. for €70 delivered.

Almost no such thing as 'having' to buy a part from a main dealer in the internet era, and certainly not for an ageing car worth €4K.

No offence whatsoever to the OP, but unless you have an immaculate car, (and something special at that), once they're over 6/7 yrs old modern franchised dealers are a crazy option. Modern franchises are more like a branch of McDonalds than the garage that a "main dealer" of 20-30 years ago was.

clonagam

spyderski wrote: »

In fairness, bringing a 9 year-old Volvo into a main dealer is never going to be a cost-effective course of action.

Fair point. Can anyone recommend an independent garage that can handle Volvo repairs preferably in South County Dublin?