Dangerous steering....Xantia

Jshodgson · Post by **Jshodgson** » 23 Oct 2005, 09:24

When I'm driving at 70+ and turning round a long bend my steering looses its stiffness and is very scary. I'm sticking to 60 whilst I see what's wrong. Any ideas? First thing in the morning it goes very stiff (no jokes please) just after starting but I put this down to the pressure the system is under when first started.

NiSk · Post by **NiSk** » 23 Oct 2005, 11:00

Sounds like its time to give the LHM system a clean out and check the pressure in the accumulator sphere. A good clean out with hydraflush (or hydraincage as Total call it) usuallyhelps improve steering feel.

//NiSk

jeremy · Post by **jeremy** » 23 Oct 2005, 11:08

I would expect your 95 Xantia to have anti-sink and the twin outlet pump. If this is so the accumulator cannot have any influence on the steering as its not in the same circuit. Flushing might help but I think your problem is rather more fundammental.

Apart from being light does the steering feel OK? The reason I ask is I think this is likely to be a bush or joint problem and I'd start looking at all the suspension and steering joints very carefully and jack up etc and lever to see if I could find any play and that nothing like the steering rack had worked loose.

Stiff steering when cold is generally due to low pump output, in which case replacement is the only answer. It is possible for the pinion valve seals to wear but when this happens the steering is generally stiff when turning to one side as one seal wears before the other.

Post by **Peter.N.** » 23 Oct 2005, 15:27

It could just be that your hydraulic pump belt is slipping.

citronut · Post by **citronut** » 23 Oct 2005, 18:58

not sure what your steering prob is,but i very much doubt is any of the symtons sugested so far,as you said it is loosing its stiffness,and if it was a fluid presure prob the steering would get hevier not lighter
regards malcolm

Post by **c.morewood** » 15 Nov 2005, 19:10

I was just wondering, did you ever find out what was the cause of your steering problem?
Chris

Post by **c.morewood** » 20 Nov 2005, 18:05

I was wondering if anyone has experienced a steering problem with their Xantia?
For a couple of weeks now my steering has been getting quite stiff just off the dead straight direction. It gets worse with the colder weather and remains so (or seems to) till the car has travelled about 50 miles when its a bit less noticeable.

With the recent minus temperatures the steering has been really heavy in the morning. I have had it checked out by a non citroen garage who couldn't find any leaks or reason for the problem .. belt tension and pump seem fine...my next step is to the main dealers to have a hydraflush and to get their opinion on it. The LHM is green and I have no suspension problems other than the rear manifold has a weep from it which means that at rest the car drops. ( That will be fixed when its hydraflushed)
I have done the Citairobics that hasn't made any difference.
Any ideas?
Chris

citronut · Post by **citronut** » 20 Nov 2005, 18:21

the usual cause for heavy steering on hydraulic cits is the steering flow valve or the pump,and as the later xants have the flow valve integral withe the pump it means you would have to change the pump which ever one it is,but before you change any of the units check the tank filters and maybe even try runnig hydroflush for the prescibed 1000 miles,then replace it with fresh LHM
regards malcolm

wrinklet1 · Post by **wrinklet1** » 21 Nov 2005, 10:10

Hi Guys,
I had the problem of my steering going 'hard' or Intermittent heavy steering on my Xantia. After doing all the checks, I ended up replacing the hydraulic pump, a simple 20 minute job. Got the part from Pleiades, cost £150. A massive difference after the pump was replaced including a more responsive suspension.

Paul

jeremy · Post by **jeremy** » 21 Nov 2005, 12:08

The flow valve referred to is the dreaded flow divider valve as used on the BX and the very early Xantia's without anti sink and with the single outlet pump. Its purpose is to allow a small bleed to the power sterring at all times but to prioritise the suspension and brakes (ie the regulator) when the steering is at rest. What happens is that the movement of the steering wheel shuts a valve, the bleed pressure rises rapidly and a shuttle valve moves restricting the supply to the suspension and brakes while the steering is operating.

There is no such mechanism on the Xantias with the twin outlet pump as the majority of the output is dedicated to the steering. Heavy or intermittent steering assistance is therefore likely to be due to a week pump and the chances are that the thing needs replacing.

Clean LHM is desireable, and a flush may help but to borrow a phrase - when its gone its gone!

Post by **c.morewood** » 21 Nov 2005, 18:44

Hi guys,
I took the old girl down to the main dealers today and they found a fault in the UJ joint, after taking the steering apart. now I think about it, it did feel a bit like a joint failure loose for just under half a turn then tight for another quarter. I'll let you know tomorrow if they manage to fix it.
Chris

Post by **c.morewood** » 22 Nov 2005, 19:21

Its confirmed! The universal joint at the bottom of the steering column was completely seized in one direction causing the stiffness.

Chris