Odd steering problem on Xantia

Post by **elma** » 09 May 2008, 14:19

Car in question is a 1994 L reg 1.9Td Vsx

It has been a good car for the last couple of years only needing routine maintenance and no repairs.

It has had new track rod ends, droplinks, acc sphere and bottom arms recently.

Problem is that when the car is steered into a corner it acts normally, but when the corner is over the steering is very heavy to return to center and will stay in the cornering position, not self straighten as you accelerate.

It feels like it is not being assisted on the return, but does make the usual noise that the power steering does.

It has begun to do so even when stood still.

Lhm level is ok, but there is a small leak from one of the front struts.

We are thinking that either the steering rack or the hydraulic supply to the power steering rams is faulty.

I also think that maybe a piece of trim is intefering with the pole which goes from steering wheel to steering rack but my friend, whos car it is, doesn't agree. He hasn't checked this though.

I haven't actually seen the car in this state, I am posting for a friend who lives a long long way away and has no internet.

Any one know where to start with this?
Thanks, Elma

Post by **elma** » 09 May 2008, 15:16

Little bit of an update, it seems that the track rod ends are defective.

They are being replaced today and we'll see if that helps

Gammy leg · Post by **Gammy leg** » 10 May 2008, 00:48

Elma,
Can't see how track rod ends would cause this problem. Sound like there may be a defective valve in the hydraulics somehere. Only a guess mind.

Gammy

Post by **elma** » 10 May 2008, 12:35

I agree,
steering rack and hydraulics are what I think are most likely.

He hasn't rung me today though so maybe it is fixed.

I haven't seen the car either, the post was written while listening to him on the phone, possibly if I drove it I would have described it differently.

I'll let you know what the result of the trackrod ends replacement is after I next speak with him.

Pleiades · Post by **Pleiades** » 10 May 2008, 16:27

It will be worth checking the universal joint at the end of the steering colum. This is the last swivel before the coupling between the colum and the pinion.

This joint passes through the bulkhead and when it gets rusty will cause excactly the symptoms that you describe.

Maybe worth a look.

Cheers
Martin.

Post by **elma** » 11 May 2008, 00:21

Thanks Martin,
we'd dismissed that without even looking as there was no apparent play in the steering.
Rusted up would be different though and I shall suggest that to my friend.
I know the gaitor is missing on this particular car so it is not unlikely that you are right.

Edit,

I see I misunderstood which part you meant, I see what you mean though.
I shall relay this to my friend, hopefully you have found the answer.

Thanks again.