Xantia Activa Power Steering

[Dr Madvibe]

My Activa has developed a power steering problem in that it doesn't work until I've already started to turn and the it kicks in. I have to be careful not to oversteer when that happens.

I can jiggle the wheel a bit and it'll work, but then when I want to turn again, it's gone.

We do have long straight roads here in Lincolnshire, but they do tend to have a right angle bend and a dyke somewhere along them.

Anyone got any ideas? And yes the LHM is topped up.

cheers
Dr M

[addo]

Sounds like the internal seals of your pinion valve are rogered. I recommend rebuilding the one there, vs "swap and pray" as most used parts are at least a dozen years old and rather high mileage.

There is a seal kit sold for BXs which will do the trick, however you ideally need the special tapered sleeves for installing them or try the Japanese website's trick of Mylar wrap and worm driven hose clamps. Either way, not a job you do between pints on a Sunday evening.

Note there is a seal groove on the pinion inner which is deliberately empty! Put a seal there and you won't have PAS.

As a side note, pinion valves that have been "forced" by long usage without power assist can (IMO) suffer distortion of the cast iron housing just enough to make them perennially leaky.

[Dr Madvibe]

Thanks addo.

What's the Japanese website?

[jgra1]

or, Dr, ask Martin at peliades for one.. he will take yours in exchange.. he rebuilds and tests them afterwards..

I tried rebuilding mine, no hope (for me) really

[Deanxm]

You may struggle as the Activa steering is a different ratio to the common xantia's iirc so an exchange may not be easy.
The job of doing the seals is a real pita, i ruined one kit trying to do the xm pinion and doing the second was a very fiddly experience.

D

[xantia_v6]

You may struggle as the Activa steering is a different ratio to the common Xantia's.

I don't think that that is supported by Citroen Service. There is no separate listing for activa (there are different listings by RP number).

[Deanxm]

Sorry, just had a check of my facts from another post and you are right, the pinion IS the same but the Activa has limited rack movement.

Xantia steering - Two types:
Non Activa - power asst - rack travel 80.5mm - pinion 8 teeth - rack 34 teeth - 3.2 turns - ratio 17/1
Activa - power asst - rack travel 74.3mm - pinion 8 teeth - rack 34 teeth - 3 turns - ratio 17/1

As you were

D

[Dr Madvibe]

Thanks folks.

Pleiades isn't too far from me so I may take that route; or at least give them a ring.