2005 XC Steering Issues

[docdrew]

Just picked up a 2005 xc with 54,000 miles and have some steering/front suspension issues. Here are the symptoms:

- Constant vibration through steering wheel. Noticeable at any speed - more annoying than anything. Car has what appear to be OEM (scorpions) tires with about 40% tread left.

- "Pulsating" when going through curves at 40+mph.

- Driving on grooved highway pavement car "hunts" from side to side, violently at times. Very scary at Interstate speeds!

- When parking/stopping the power steering seems to go out completely. It's basically like manual steering. Power resumes as soon as gas is applied.

The first two I can live with for now if I have to. The last 2 are big issues to me!

Help!

[BiasedWaffles]

Get a 4 wheel alignment done. I honestly cant tell you whats with the power steering, but my XC70 used to feel like it would spin you out on groved pavement or when it snowed.

[docdrew]

I'll try that. That's on my list ad is had a pretty strong pull to the right.

[Astro14]

You need to do two things:

1. buy 4 new tires.
2. get a 4 wheel alignment

Those tires are lousy...and are likely the cause of everything you describe...

Personal favorites: Nokian WR G2 SUV...just make sure you get new tires with an XL load rating and H (or better) speed rating.

My favorite site for tire research: www.tirerack.com

If you input your make, model, and year of car, the site will show you tires that meet all those specs...along with actual customer feedback and real-world testing results...

[JRL]

If he has 40% left his tires "are not lousy". (unless his alignment was so far off, they wore in poorly)!
While Scorpions may be noisy they track VERY STRAIGHT
Get an alignment, rotate tires front to rear and go from there.

If there is something wrong with your front end a GOOD alignment shop should tell you...ask them to look at the suspension

[howardc64]

- When parking/stopping the power steering seems to go out completely. It's basically like manual steering. Power resumes as soon as gas is applied.

PS fluid is likely low. It is a sealed system so if it is low, there is likely a leak somewhere. Most common leak is the hose fitting just below the reservoir.

[docdrew]

The tires look fine to me - no uneven wear patterns. Although living in Colorado they'll be shot next summer anyway.

PS fluid is good. Had a leak on our 2001 XC so it was first thing I checked on the '05.

I read somewhere that the "pulsating" around corners may be due to the steering rack going south. It has the speed sensitive steering...

[JRL]

Just get it aligned

[howardc64]

I read somewhere that the "pulsating" around corners may be due to the steering rack going south. It has the speed sensitive steering...

googled "volvo xc70 steering pulsating" and found this. Probably what you read already.

http://www.volvoxc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18358

[Astro14]

"Pulsating" around corners is also a sign of tread/belt separation in the tire carcase...these are 7 year old OE tires...and 7 year old tires are due for replacement on age alone...