Heavy Steering S2 Xantia

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Heavy Steering S2 Xantia

Post by Rhothgar »

Hi all,

Drove the S2 yesterday. Sylv had said that the steering was getting heavy a while ago.

It's pretty worrying at times.

I find the search on the forum difficult to extract certain results. If you type in heavy steering it ignores heavy. I only found one thread for an Activa through that search which had the same issue.

Any tips on what could be wrong? I will check the tick rate in the meantime and looks for obvious signs of leaks from the reservoir pipes.
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Re: Heavy Steering S2 Xantia

Post by SaabC5 »

3 reasons for heavy steering

1. Power steering pump failing/fluid low
2. Tyres in dire need of air
3. Tyres as bald as a badgers arse.
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Re: Heavy Steering S2 Xantia

Post by electronmirror »

Possible 4th reason for heavy steering.

U/J at the bottom of the steering column dry as the Atacama desert
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Re: Heavy Steering S2 Xantia

Post by Xaccers »

Also air getting into the feed pipe but most likely UJ is dry.
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Re: Heavy Steering S2 Xantia

Post by ecohouse1 »

I had this winter before last - checked fluid level and air leaks in the feed pipe to the pump, but all was OK.

Turned out that the UJ at the bottom of the column was semi-seized. Easiest way to free it up is to pump car up to max. Turn steering full LH lock and lean in with a can of spray grease and you can see the joint behind the engine. Give it a good soak and turn your steering a few times. You should notice a big difference.
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Re: Heavy Steering S2 Xantia

Post by RichardW »

Seized UJ gives the symptoms of the steering being intermittently heavy - it can be quite odd at times - it will suddenly free, then you can turn it back a bit, but it will come back up against the seize. Most disconcerting to drive! Mine freed off with the spray, but tightened up again pretty soon. Then I oiled it from underneath with kept it going for a while longer, before finally heavily oiling it, and then greasing it very well - this kept if nice and light for a good while.
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Re: Heavy Steering S2 Xantia

Post by Rhothgar »

Thanks Guys.

RichardW describes the symptoms very nicely.

It is obviously common at high mileage I would assume.

Shoudl I use PlusGas first to free it up then lube it? Or will PlusGas dry it out?

Then the only problem is why on earth has the front suspension changed height? I've touched nothing on the height correctors. Front one is very unlikely to be seized as they normally get well oiled.
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Re: Heavy Steering S2 Xantia

Post by Old-Guy »

For the benefit of anyone else reading this thread for help - another reason for heavy steering (particularly when it's cold and/or the engine is at slow speed) is a slack or worn auxiliary belt. The PAS has its own separate pump-within-pump and shares only the LHM reservoir and the pump feed with the rest of the hydraulics.

Low speed manoeuvring when the LHM is cold (and thicker) places a heavy load on both sections of the HP pump (PAS and suspension/brakes) while the auxiliary belt is also driving the alternator to recharge the battery after starting. With something like 5bhp to transmit, it''ll slip given the chance!

Another suspect is a dirty LHM uptake filter restricting the supply. Dodgy accumulator only comes into it by adding to the load on the auxiliary belt.
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Re: Heavy Steering S2 Xantia

Post by citroenxm »

Other reasons are blocked filters!!

Roger. You will never free it off once siezed.. when they sieze they sieze SOLID.. so solid that once its off the car you cannot move it with your hand and you realise how powerfull the PAS is.

the real only solution is replacement for another one.. and no its not high milage related. Its completely random. Mimes fine at 276k.. mine did sieze up. But I could NOT be bothered to change it and just lived with it. It freed up again after 5k of just living with it. But I do not reccomend that!
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1996 Citroen Xantia 1.9TD SX S1 - N707 MGP (Currrently laid up)
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Oh! and two Harley Davidsons - A 1990 Sportster and a 2003 Fatboy 100th Anniversary (the only vehicle I have owned from new)
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Re: Heavy Steering S2 Xantia

Post by Rhothgar »

Cheers all. PlusGas did the job. Much easier now.

Will lube up at weekend as see how it goes. Will change if necessary.
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Re: Heavy Steering S2 Xantia

Post by Stewart(oily) »

Very timely, a new bottom pulley improved things a little but a good spray of penetrant lube and application of my patented greasy oily mix onto the bottom UJ has it feeling like a car with power steering again, I might even get around to hoovering the thing out now.
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