Does a new steering rack need bedding in?

[Shevek]

Hi all, hope someone can help.

I've just had the steering rack replaced on my '04 C70 after it failed it's MOT.

I have the car back but the steering, especially at low speed, feels like there's no PAS at all. It's quite hard work trying to turn the car.

It almost feels like it's sticking, then there's a knock (felt, not heard) as it frees itself, then it's stiff to turn.

It's also not re-centering very well, if at all.

Is this because a new rack needs bedding in or is something wrong?

The steering wheel also tracks slightly right from straight ahead.

He said he'd done the tracking and alignment as part of the work, but it really doesn't feel like it.

Cheers

[stephenevans99]

Take it back mate....that definately doesn't sound right.

[stribo]

Sounds like they haven't bled the system.

[Shevek]

Take it back mate....that definately doesn't sound right.

Yeah, that's what I thought

I've already had nearly a week of craziness without the car... back it goes tomorrow

[merc85]

Yeah, that's what I thought

I've already had nearly a week of craziness without the car... back it goes tomorrow

Check the fluid level bud, if its down, top it up and rotate the steering to full lock one way then the other, do this a couple of times then recheck. top up if required. then that should sort it.

If not take the car back to them, a cheaply reconed rack may have been supplied.

[Shevek]

Check the fluid level bud, if its down, top it up and rotate the steering to full lock one way then the other, do this a couple of times then recheck. top up if required. then that should sort it.

Wow, that has made a HUGE difference! steering is lighter and no knock feeling.

However, it's still not centring properly, only on right turns...

Left turns come back nicely to centre but right turns, it keeps going right and I have to wrench it back to centre

(luckily I have a parallel road to mine with 3 cross roads, all quiet, so I did loads of figure 8 laps to test it!)

[merc85]

keep going lock to lock slowly then recheck the level, it would also be advisable to get the tracking checked. They really should had done all this before handing the car back tbh. hopefully after a few lock to locks it will sort it.

[Harvey]

Just wonder if they put the wrong fluid in,I think the volvo stuff is different.

[stribo]

Yeah, alot of manufactures use ATF, Volvo use proper PAS fluid, but make sure it's bled properly, the method Merc has told you is how you bleed the system.

[Shevek]

Is there any way to tell the difference? It looked greenish in colour in the header tank (same as the PAS stuff I've been using to top it up for the last year or so)

[Shevek]

I've just put in a third top up of fluid (it's CHF fluid I've been using) after another run out...

I'll keep checking it over the weekend and if it's not better by Monday I'll take it back in for another alignment.

[Harvey]

Just how much fluid have you had to put in,the garage should have gone lock to lock a number of times the bleed the air out the system.
If you have to top it up to much the rack seals could be leaking into the gaiters ?.
It looks like garage didn't check the tracking at least.

[LeeT5]

Firstly, the garage have done a shoddy job by the sounds of it. Whats been said is all true, thou it's best to bleed the steering with the front wheels OFF the deck. This prevents you from scrubbing a flat spot on your tyres and also prevent the pump from straining if there is air in the system, which in your case, there clearly is.

Regards the steering not self centering, that will be because they haven't aligned your car properly. Don't waste your time with the garage, cos clearly they can't do it right or they have a rubbish, cheap alignment tool or the mechanic is a tool!

Either way, I recommend you drive the car to Elite in Rainham, Essex. Only 10 minutes from the tunnel mate and they will correctly check and adjust the entire cars suspension for you. It will cost you £50 but you won't regret it. Get yourself a nice bacon roll while your there too in there on site cafe!!

They must also use Volvo only steering fluid. Normal ATF will knacker your rack seals.

Here's the link: http://www.elitedirect.com/

[Shevek]

Just how much fluid have you had to put in,the garage should have gone lock to lock a number of times the bleed the air out the system.
If you have to top it up to much the rack seals could be leaking into the gaiters ?.
It looks like garage didn't check the tracking at least.

So far, topped up 3 times, less than an inch each time

[Shevek]

Either way, I recommend you drive the car to Elite in Rainham, Essex. Only 10 minutes from the tunnel mate and they will correctly check and adjust the entire cars suspension for you. It will cost you £50 but you won't regret it. Get yourself a nice bacon roll while your there too in there on site cafe!!

They must also use Volvo only steering fluid. Normal ATF will knacker your rack seals.

Here's the link: http://www.elitedirect.com/

Cheers for that, I may give them a call tomorrow as I need to re-do the MOT as well

[Harvey]

So far, topped up 3 times, less than an inch each time

With any luck all the air should be out by now.

[JamesT5]

Hi all, hope someone can help.

I've just had the steering rack replaced on my '04 C70 after it failed it's MOT.

I have the car back but the steering, especially at low speed, feels like there's no PAS at all. It's quite hard work trying to turn the car.

It almost feels like it's sticking, then there's a knock (felt, not heard) as it frees itself, then it's stiff to turn.

It's also not re-centering very well, if at all.

Is this because a new rack needs bedding in or is something wrong?

The steering wheel also tracks slightly right from straight ahead.

He said he'd done the tracking and alignment as part of the work, but it really doesn't feel like it.

Cheers

Sounds knackered to me.

[LeeT5]

Sounds knackered to me.

You would say that!

[Shevek]

I forgot to check it yesterday morning first thing but checked it when I got to work - the header tank was EMPTY!!

Filled it back up and went out to check it at lunch time - half empty and a big puddle on the floor

I phoned the garage and he was horrified.

Very apologetic and thinks he was supplied a duff recon.

He's taken the car back in and given me a loan car for the weekend.

I'm very impressed with his response and glad that he just wants to make good on it.

[Harvey]

I forgot to check it yesterday morning first thing but checked it when I got to work - the header tank was EMPTY!!

Filled it back up and went out to check it at lunch time - half empty and a big puddle on the floor

I phoned the garage and he was horrified.

Very apologetic and thinks he was supplied a duff recon.

He's taken the car back in and given me a loan car for the weekend.

I'm very impressed with his response and glad that he just wants to make good on it.

Good that you found out there is a leak , hope they do a better job this time !.