Xantia steering pulses
Moderator: RichardW
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- Posts: 91
- Joined: 09 May 2006, 12:51
- Location: Worthing, U.K. & Switzerland
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Xantia steering pulses
Has anyone come across 'pulsing' or 'surging' in the steering wheel whilst taking long bends (left or right)?
Equally, has anyone found their power steering seriously lacking when cold in the mornings? This disappears after the engine has warmed up some 15 minutes or so, later.
I fitted all new (pattern) spheres 12 months ago, including the front pressure reservoir and changed the LHM and cleaned filters, etc.
Any ideas whet could be causing this?
Cheers!
Equally, has anyone found their power steering seriously lacking when cold in the mornings? This disappears after the engine has warmed up some 15 minutes or so, later.
I fitted all new (pattern) spheres 12 months ago, including the front pressure reservoir and changed the LHM and cleaned filters, etc.
Any ideas whet could be causing this?
Cheers!
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- Posts: 91
- Joined: 09 May 2006, 12:51
- Location: Worthing, U.K. & Switzerland
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The Xantia power steering is powered by the hydraulic pump.
Early Xantias (->'95) had the BX FDV system fitted and a single output pump. Later Xantias have the 2-output pump - one output dedicated to the power steering.
The power steering is fed directly off the pump. The main accumulator sphere is not involved. Thats why you immediately get heavy steering on a stalled engine - i.e. no spare pressure available for the power steering.
The power steering consumes huge amounts of pressurised fluid to operate. This fact immediately passes any weakness in the system on to the driver's biceps
Standard advices are :
1) check pump beltdrive tension - must be incredibly tight.
2) check green LHM reservoir fluid level
3) be sure the pump can not take in air during a detoriated/perished rubber feed hose (the large one reservoir to pump)
4) be sure hose clamps over the studs on same hose are tight. Standard problem is a "service friendly" push/pull fit on the studs
If all this positively checks out good - the pump itself is tired.
Early Xantias (->'95) had the BX FDV system fitted and a single output pump. Later Xantias have the 2-output pump - one output dedicated to the power steering.
The power steering is fed directly off the pump. The main accumulator sphere is not involved. Thats why you immediately get heavy steering on a stalled engine - i.e. no spare pressure available for the power steering.
The power steering consumes huge amounts of pressurised fluid to operate. This fact immediately passes any weakness in the system on to the driver's biceps
Standard advices are :
1) check pump beltdrive tension - must be incredibly tight.
2) check green LHM reservoir fluid level
3) be sure the pump can not take in air during a detoriated/perished rubber feed hose (the large one reservoir to pump)
4) be sure hose clamps over the studs on same hose are tight. Standard problem is a "service friendly" push/pull fit on the studs
If all this positively checks out good - the pump itself is tired.
Anders (DK) - '90 BX16Image
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- Posts: 91
- Joined: 09 May 2006, 12:51
- Location: Worthing, U.K. & Switzerland
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Hi folks,
Just back from my working trip and seen the latest correspondence and tips.
My car has now done approx 160,000 miles and I'm the fourth owner, but can probably assume I'm on the factory original hydraulic pump. It's a '98 Temptation 1.9 TD Estate, just a few weeks before the Facelift model.
I'll check the belt tension, (although I know I have an automatic tensioner because I changed the aux belt a few months ago), hoses, etc., tomorrow to see if any of these may be the cause, otherwise I guess I'll have to spend more time in the gym or change the pump....
The 'pulses' appear to be equal on both sides (left or right bends) and the suspension components are in good shape, so I'm not so sure about the worn bushes idea.
Thanks for all the info, cheers,
Steve
Just back from my working trip and seen the latest correspondence and tips.
My car has now done approx 160,000 miles and I'm the fourth owner, but can probably assume I'm on the factory original hydraulic pump. It's a '98 Temptation 1.9 TD Estate, just a few weeks before the Facelift model.
I'll check the belt tension, (although I know I have an automatic tensioner because I changed the aux belt a few months ago), hoses, etc., tomorrow to see if any of these may be the cause, otherwise I guess I'll have to spend more time in the gym or change the pump....
The 'pulses' appear to be equal on both sides (left or right bends) and the suspension components are in good shape, so I'm not so sure about the worn bushes idea.
Thanks for all the info, cheers,
Steve
naaaahhh...mezuk04 wrote:Anders, are you trying to tell me in a roundabout way that I was the first person to reply and that 1ST reply may infact be totally correct
Feels a little smug
Shall we say that you were not exactly wrong ?
I didn't like the expression "P.A.S. pump" although it covers the function. But a PAS pump is by common means a standard power steering pump setup. Not covering the hydraulic sprung Citroen's special pump setup feeding lots more than power steering with hydraulic pressure.
(you cant always be right - even though you always try to twist it round your way )
Anders (DK) - '90 BX16Image
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- Posts: 91
- Joined: 09 May 2006, 12:51
- Location: Worthing, U.K. & Switzerland
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Er, Yeah, it does deliver to all those systems.
Unless I've missed the second pump located somewhere on the engine (particularly whilst changing the auxiliiary drive belt a couple of weeks ago ), then I would definitely say one hydraulic pump does the lot - on my car, at least (which is a standard '98 1.9TD with non-active suspension).
Now one can see why the pump has a lot of work to do and hence is a prime suspect for the problems I've been having.
Ciao!
Unless I've missed the second pump located somewhere on the engine (particularly whilst changing the auxiliiary drive belt a couple of weeks ago ), then I would definitely say one hydraulic pump does the lot - on my car, at least (which is a standard '98 1.9TD with non-active suspension).
Now one can see why the pump has a lot of work to do and hence is a prime suspect for the problems I've been having.
Ciao!
Deian - you mention that your steering feels heavier one side than the other.
I have both a BX and a ZX and to me they both feel a little heavier one side than the other. By slight I mean very slight - almost to be unnoticeable. The reason I believe is the external rack ram used by Citroen - which comprises of a cylinder with a rod emerging at one end. Inside the ram there is a piston attached to the end of the rod - and pressure is applied to each side when required to move the rod - and so assist the steering.
On one side the pressure is applied to the flat face of the piston. On the other side the face is in fact smaller as the rod is attached - and so the level of assistance is less. As I say this is very small and virtually undetectable.
If the effect is more noticeable then you could have defective rack pinion valve seals (internal). They usually wear slightly unevenly - so affecting one side before the other. I would expect this only on very high mileage cars.
I have both a BX and a ZX and to me they both feel a little heavier one side than the other. By slight I mean very slight - almost to be unnoticeable. The reason I believe is the external rack ram used by Citroen - which comprises of a cylinder with a rod emerging at one end. Inside the ram there is a piston attached to the end of the rod - and pressure is applied to each side when required to move the rod - and so assist the steering.
On one side the pressure is applied to the flat face of the piston. On the other side the face is in fact smaller as the rod is attached - and so the level of assistance is less. As I say this is very small and virtually undetectable.
If the effect is more noticeable then you could have defective rack pinion valve seals (internal). They usually wear slightly unevenly - so affecting one side before the other. I would expect this only on very high mileage cars.
jeremy
I had the same problem. The steering works off low pressure and the pump was getting tired. I got a recon pump from Plheides (how do you spell it?). Took about 20mins to fit and the problem was sorted. The car will rise quicker and the steering will be a dream. My car is a 93 TD Xantia.
Paul
Paul
1xAmi,3xGS,2xBx,2xAX,2xSaxo,1xXantia mk I,2xXantia MkII,1xC1,2xC2,
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- Posts: 91
- Joined: 09 May 2006, 12:51
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Hi Paul,
Yes, I checked out their webpage (www.pleiades.uk.com) and it looks like they're a great source for this pump and other future parts. I also pass by the Cambridge area quite often on my travels.
Thanks for the tip and info, best regards,
Steve
Yes, I checked out their webpage (www.pleiades.uk.com) and it looks like they're a great source for this pump and other future parts. I also pass by the Cambridge area quite often on my travels.
Thanks for the tip and info, best regards,
Steve
Proud owner of two Citroens:-
'R' reg 1998 Xantia 1.9 TD Temptation Estate.
'N' reg 1996 ZX 1.9 TD Aura Estate.
'R' reg 1998 Xantia 1.9 TD Temptation Estate.
'N' reg 1996 ZX 1.9 TD Aura Estate.