Citroen xantia intermittent heavy steering
Moderator: RichardW
Citroen xantia intermittent heavy steering
Citroen xantia 1.8 16v 1999 manual.
I'm experiencing intermittent heavy steering. It randomly becomes heavy mid turn and all of a sudden easy or even when doing minor corrections on a road. Like a said it is really intermittent.
car stops, rises and falls fast, lhm was changed and filters cleaned not a long time ago.
there is a slight leak in the main hydraulic hose in front of the engine near hydraulic pump, I've heard that it could be sucking in air and causing these problems, but the leak is quite old and im experiencing these symptoms very recently
What could be the cause of intermittent heavy steering? the leak, failing HP or something else?
I'm experiencing intermittent heavy steering. It randomly becomes heavy mid turn and all of a sudden easy or even when doing minor corrections on a road. Like a said it is really intermittent.
car stops, rises and falls fast, lhm was changed and filters cleaned not a long time ago.
there is a slight leak in the main hydraulic hose in front of the engine near hydraulic pump, I've heard that it could be sucking in air and causing these problems, but the leak is quite old and im experiencing these symptoms very recently
What could be the cause of intermittent heavy steering? the leak, failing HP or something else?
-
- Forum Treasurer
- Posts: 10893
- Joined: 07 Aug 2002, 17:12
- Location: United Kingdom
- My Cars: MK2 '17 C4GP 1.6 BlueHDi 120
'13 3008 1.6 HDi GripControl - x 1003
Re: Citroen xantia intermittent heavy steering
It's the universal joint at the base of the column seizing up. You can get some lube on it with an aerosol from behind the driver's side wheel with it on full lock. It's quite difficult to get permanent lubrication on it, but you can get some grease on it from underneath, do it frequently and you should get on top of it.
Richard W
Re: Citroen xantia intermittent heavy steering
I would need a little more detailed explanation where the U joint is located and how does it look, and which part to lube specifically (keep in mind, that my car is left hand drive). And what lube is best to use?
-
- Forum Treasurer
- Posts: 10893
- Joined: 07 Aug 2002, 17:12
- Location: United Kingdom
- My Cars: MK2 '17 C4GP 1.6 BlueHDi 120
'13 3008 1.6 HDi GripControl - x 1003
Re: Citroen xantia intermittent heavy steering
Put the suspension high and the steering on full right lock, follow the track arm behind the driver's side wheel along to the steering rack, and then you should be able to see the universal joint where the steering column is attached to the rack. WD40 or similar will do for a start to get it freed up, after that some spray grease or something.
Richard W
- white exec
- Moderating Team
- Posts: 7445
- Joined: 21 Dec 2015, 12:46
- Location: Sayalonga, Malaga, Spain
- My Cars: 1996 XM 2.5TD Exclusive hatch RHD
1992 BX19D Millesime hatch LHD
previously 1989 BX19RD, 1998 ZX 1.9D auto, 2001 Xantia 1.8i auto
and lots of Rovers before that: 1935 Ten, 1947 Sixteen, 1960 P5 3-litre, 1966 P6 2000, 1972 P6 2000TC, and 1975 P6B 3500S - x 1752
Re: Citroen xantia intermittent heavy steering
Intermittent heavy steering (or steering feeling lumpy or notchy) is often the result of air getting drawn into the hydraulic system. This is almost always via the hose between the reservoir and the pump, which is under suction. The leak you say is there is a sign that something is wrong. Probably a good idea to replace the hose (with one that will not collapse on light suction), but make sure that the joints at each end are perfectly snug and tight, and that you use genuinely circular hose clips that will not distort the roundness of the hose.
When it's all back together again, you can check for air in fluid by dipping a sample of fluid from the reservoir (engine running). You shouln't find foaming or lots of bubbles, but maybe just a few 'micro-bubbles' of tiny size. The filters in the reservoir have the job of breaking up bubbles, to prevent them from being recirculated into the system.
Hopefully, the suction hose is the culprit. Physical cracks/leaks in the suction snout on the top of the reservoir have been known, but are very rare.
When it's all back together again, you can check for air in fluid by dipping a sample of fluid from the reservoir (engine running). You shouln't find foaming or lots of bubbles, but maybe just a few 'micro-bubbles' of tiny size. The filters in the reservoir have the job of breaking up bubbles, to prevent them from being recirculated into the system.
Hopefully, the suction hose is the culprit. Physical cracks/leaks in the suction snout on the top of the reservoir have been known, but are very rare.
Chris
Re: Citroen xantia intermittent heavy steering
My suction hose seems to be leaking in two places - where it connects to the pump and where it connects to reservoir
So it is a significant chance that this hose is the culprit
So it is a significant chance that this hose is the culprit
-
- Forum Treasurer
- Posts: 10893
- Joined: 07 Aug 2002, 17:12
- Location: United Kingdom
- My Cars: MK2 '17 C4GP 1.6 BlueHDi 120
'13 3008 1.6 HDi GripControl - x 1003
Re: Citroen xantia intermittent heavy steering
The column joint is (well was, not so many Xantias around now!) a common fail, and gives exactly the symptoms you describe. For the sake of 30seconds give it a spray and see if it improves.
Richard W
Re: Citroen xantia intermittent heavy steering
Sorry for my under education , but by the column joint you mean the part that you can see and reach from inside the car?
- xantia_v6
- Forum Admin Team
- Posts: 9092
- Joined: 09 Nov 2005, 22:03
- Location: France or NewZealand
- Lexia Available: Yes
- My Cars: -
1997 Citroen Xantia V6 (France)
1999 Citroen XM V6 ES9 (France)
2011 Peugeot 308 CC THP 155 (NZ)
1975 Jaguar XJ-S pre-HE (NZ) - x 835
Re: Citroen xantia intermittent heavy steering
Therre are 2 joints in the steering column, one inside the car, and one outside. It is the outside one (2 in the diagram) that needs lubrication.
Re: Citroen xantia intermittent heavy steering
After spraying grease at the "number 2" joint generous amount, sadly it didn't help.
-
- Donor 2023
- Posts: 1300
- Joined: 26 Dec 2007, 18:10
- Location: Glasgow
- Lexia Available: Yes
- My Cars: 2008 C5 Exclusive Tourer
1993 Xantia 1.9 TD VSX Mk1 Sinker A.K.A Slugmobile 13'
'Old Katy'
previous convictions: totaling 52litres of LHM in one go:
1968 ID19B 'Old Polly' Stellar white
1993 Xantia 1.9 TD SX Mk1 Sinker Silver
1992 XM 2.0 SEi Turbo Manual Anthracite Grey
1982 CX 20 Pallas 'Old Goldy'
1993 XM 2.1 SD Auto Light blue
1993 Xantia 1.9 TD SX Mk1 Sinker light Blue
1982 BX 16 TRS 'Cyril' Vallelunga Red
1995 Xantia 1.9 D SX Auto Dark green
1977 CX 2400 Pallas C-Matic 'Aphrodite' Regatta Blue
1982 GSA Pallas SE Silver Pearl
1980 CX 2000 Reflex Vallelunga Red
1978 CX 2400 Pallas C-Matic 'Prometheus' Midnight blue
1984 BX 14E 'Cecil the slugmobile' Maroon
1987 Fiat Panda 'the mighty panda' - x 98
Re: Citroen xantia intermittent heavy steering
If you think they're is air getting pumped in the circuit you can open the LHM tank and with a torch shining in have someone start the engine and watch for bubbles appearing in the return flow.
Another indication is to release the accumulator pressure and look to see if bubbles appeared in the LHM tank.
Thirdly, if you have had to bleed the brake circuits every few months that would suggest air being pumped in.
Another indication is to release the accumulator pressure and look to see if bubbles appeared in the LHM tank.
Thirdly, if you have had to bleed the brake circuits every few months that would suggest air being pumped in.
Graeme M
2008 C5 Exclusive Tourer 2.0 HDi
2008 C5 Exclusive Tourer 2.0 HDi
- xantia_v6
- Forum Admin Team
- Posts: 9092
- Joined: 09 Nov 2005, 22:03
- Location: France or NewZealand
- Lexia Available: Yes
- My Cars: -
1997 Citroen Xantia V6 (France)
1999 Citroen XM V6 ES9 (France)
2011 Peugeot 308 CC THP 155 (NZ)
1975 Jaguar XJ-S pre-HE (NZ) - x 835
Re: Citroen xantia intermittent heavy steering
Another possibility is that the auxilliary belt is slipping, perhaps because of oil contamination, or perhaps due to worn belt or pulleys that are not gripping correctly.
Re: Citroen xantia intermittent heavy steering
Auxilliary belt and pulleys were done like a month ago.
So im gonna start with replacing the hose that is leaking and move on from there.
So im gonna start with replacing the hose that is leaking and move on from there.