Xantia Steering wheel hard when cold

[Juliso35]

Hello!!
Lately the steering wheel of my Xantia is becoming hard when is cold,... specially at morning but it becomes softer when heated. I've checked the levels of LHM and everything seem OK
What can it be?

[Xantidote]

Have you checked the auxillary belt tension/tensioner? In the colder weather, the colder LHM will put more demand on the pump until the oil thins as it warms up with use. Belt tension must be correct or it may slip. Are you getting any warning lights immediately on starting the car?

Or worn pump? Not sure what the affect would be if it's very old LHM.

[Juliso35]

Hi Xantidote!!

Worn pump???? I hope not. The warning lights come on sometimes but after 5-8 minutes of running!!.
How can i verify both .. pump and belt? Is there any special test??. I've heard that maybe is a filter clogged issue. Is that right?
Thank you!!

[Mandrake]

Which warning light comes on after 5-8 minutes ?

When you checked the LHM level are you sure you checked it with the suspension set to the maximum height setting and the engine idling for at least 3 minutes with the car parked on level ground ?

[Juliso35]

Hi Mandrake

Sorry for the very late reply.

The light that sometimes turn on after 8 minutes is the STOP one and caution light. But only sometimes.

Of course .. I've checked the LHM level with the maximum height set but I've not waited three minutes you comment!! Just when I've seen the orange disk between the red marks I've waited just a little bit more and then I put the normal height. Maybe I'm so hurry.
I think the belt does not slip because I don't hear any particular noise but if you tell me that this may slip quietly.. I'll put more care. Is the any way to know if any sliding is ocurring??

Thanks!

[isisalar]

I had exactly this problem on my first Xantia. The recommended treatment from a local specialist was a hydraflush and filter clean, it worked.
Cheers
Paul

[Carsten S]

Another well known problem is the steering joint, near the rack. It dries out, they often work again if you lubricate it with some oil.

[Juliso35]

Thank you guys!!

Carsten S. I'm not to good speaking english so I don't know exactly where is that joint you suggested to lubricate Some talks about to lubricate a "cross piece". Is that you talking about?

BTW: Dou you still have all that fleet of Xantias fully operational?????? Awesome.. How many Breaks (Estates) were built with V6?? These are special "artifacts" . DO you have any link to see some pictures??

[VertVega]

It is the Universal Joint which should be lubricated. I used grease, lots of it
I guess your Xantia is LHD. In that case you can reach it from above, over the air filter.
Steering rack heat shield will prevent you to see it directly from top. It can be called as
the lower end of the steering column which looks like this:



- - - - - - -
Edit: Off topic. Cold is a rather relative concept and cold can be even colder
This is last 3 days temperature readings in Finnish Lapland area where it reached year 2013
minimum record reading -37.4 degrees Celsius

[Juliso35]

Excellent 3D animation. An explanation that I'll never forget!!. . But the steering wheel is very hard just for moments at morning when I'm maneuvering to exit the garage . Anyway I'll lubricate it as you suggest. Thank you!!

[xantos]

I had the same problem on mine and it was the crank pulley that was slipping therefore not producing enough pressure to the system.

Any squeaking noise from the engine?

[Juliso35]

Thanks Xantos!!

There isn't any noise . That's so strange!!. What did you see on the crank pulley on yours?? SO in this case how to know which part is not doing its part: crank pulley or belt tensioner

[Mandrake]

Thanks Xantos!!

There isn't any noise . That's so strange!!. What did you see on the crank pulley on yours?? SO in this case how to know which part is not doing its part: crank pulley or belt tensioner

Mark the side of the crank pulley with a chalk line that crosses from inner to outer across the rubber. Check the line after a few days of driving, if its still a straight line its fine, if its now two or more randomly oriented line segments it's faulty!

[Juliso35]

Hello FCF members!!

I'm back with some more doubts about this anoying problem!! Thanks to all who answered previously. I've checked all you suggested. Only.. I haven't done yet what Mandrake said to do with a chalk mark .
I delayed this because some friends at the garage insist me that while no sound can be heard there is a 90% that belt tension is OK. Anyway I'll do it!!

Before making any heavy overhaul on the car I decided to make other testings. I used a manometer (pressure gauge) with valve then I plugged these on the steering outlet of the pump at morning. It read 160 BAR when I closed the valve while idling but I forgot to accelerate a little bit to read again. I've noticed heavy steering at high revs when is cold.

I've read on other FCF posts about clearances between pistons and bores of the pump. The thing get better once the pump warms. Also I read that maybe using a LHM thicker could help. I read somewhere that some used an oil variant LT71141 I thing. Is there any way to make the LHM a little thicker??? My LHM is "greener" but my tank cap don't close as tight as I would like!! How could I know if there's water in it? Introducing a hose to the bottom of the tank and suck and see if water comes out?
Watch this video

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Maybe I could have a little!!.

Finally how to know if this is a problem related with pump, pinion valve or both????

[Stempy]

LT71141 is automatic transmission oil, nothing to do with Hydractive. Have you hydroflushed yet and cleaned the filters? You need to eliminate the possible causes one at a time.