Strange steering after replacing height corrector

skog77 · Unread post by **skog77** » 16 Jan 2010, 18:07

Hi again!

After i replaced the rear height corrector the steering on my Xantia has become a bit strange. The resistance as i turn the wheel is uneven, in the way a conventional car feels if the power steering pump is low on fluid. However there seems to be a pattern that repeats itself every rotation. It's so bad that when the steering returns as i go around a corner the wheel almost stops completely before it gets going again, forcing me to correct the direction of the car. This is very annoying.

My Xantia seems to have enough fluid in it, so im thinking:

1. Air in the system. I just assumed this system aired itself if air got in there after changing a component. However, i think air could have been in there from before too, because when i depressurized the system before changing the height corrector, i got a big burp from the reservoir followed by it puking out a bit of LHM (the car was jacked very high at the rear at this point). Could air be trapped in the system without the warning light coming on? And the air pocket staying in the steering part of it?

2. Dirt in the system. I don't think this car has been driven much in the last few year and it has 190.000kms on the clock. After i bought it i have taken it on two fairly long trips, i guess that could have loosened some dirt that got stuck in the steering. I have already bought Hydroflush, as i was going to give the system a rinse anyway.
Does anyone know where the smallest valves etc are (i.e. most likely place to get dirt stuck in it).

What do you think?

Unread post by **Peter.N.** » 16 Jan 2010, 20:11

First thing to check is the tension on the hydraulic pump belt, a slipping belt can cause these symptoms.

andmcit · Unread post by **andmcit** » 16 Jan 2010, 21:11

Guessing here, has the car stood a while awaiting the rear height corrector
being fitted.

If left standing for a while the universal joint steering knuckle on the base
of the firewall/bulkhead between the steering column and the rack may have
'set' or seized into position and the bushings will be stiff in certain orientation
on lock to lock almost like an old thruppeny bit in terms of stiff, free, stiff etc.
Could just need some motorbike chainlube oil etc - WD40 at a push.

Andrew

Unread post by **citroenxm** » 16 Jan 2010, 21:15

Xantia td?? If it has a patten, it could be coinisdental, but sounds quite possibly the UJ Joint at the lower end of the steering colum, in the engine bay, just above the Pinion..

They are actually relativily easy to remove.. but you can try an air bleed first, lower the car to the floor with the lever fully forward and LEAVE THE CAR RUNNING FOR about 5 mins, this will ensure the car is FULLY lowered..

Then with the engine running open the bleed screw 12mm nut on the regulator, and LEAVE the engine running for another few minutes.. dont be too keen to stop the engine too soon, as soon as the regulator is open the system pressure is released and the pump will bleed the system..

What year is the Xantia? If its anything NEWER then EARLY 1994, then it will have anti sink, and a 6+2 pump, on these the PAS is driven DIRECTLY off the hydraulic pump.. if its an earlyer car its a shared sinker system, and a bleed out should have more of an effect..

If after a blled out the pattern problem is still there id CONSIDER the lower UJ joint.

Paul

andmcit · Unread post by **andmcit** » 16 Jan 2010, 21:19

Aha Paul.!!

See we don't always disagree about some things!

Andrew

Unread post by **citroenxm** » 16 Jan 2010, 21:33

Andrew,

I HATE disagreements or upsets, Im for an easy life really, at the end of the day, we are an enthusiastic fan of the same make of car!

(And I still want a CX

)

Paul

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 16 Jan 2010, 22:17

andmcit wrote:Aha Paul.!!

See we don't always disagree about some things!

Andrew

Diagnosis in living stereo from Wales

I agree too... That UJ is exposed and they do get very rusty and stiff when it's cold and wet. The one off the scrapper V6 was a bit on the tight side...

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 16 Jan 2010, 22:22

citroenxm wrote: I HATE disagreements or upsets

So do I Paul. I'll agree with that! Even a small disagreement and any hint of bad feeling as a result can upset me for ages

Just a big old softy really....

Anyway, life's too bloody short for bad feelings and disagreements. We have Citroens to maintain...

Unread post by **citroenxm** » 16 Jan 2010, 22:22

Ive managed to collect 2 now - both in good order, incase for either of the 9 xantias I look after...

Paul

Unread post by **citroenxm** » 16 Jan 2010, 22:28

It wasn't on here actually that it happened, it was over on Club XM fourm, to a point that I deleted one of my posts, but wrote out a nasty one, but then withdrew posting it, incase it made things worse..

Im not going to say were it was, would rather forget it - not sure if our felow poster will say were though, or even not feel the same as I did..

Like you Jim, a big softie -

paul

andmcit · Unread post by **andmcit** » 16 Jan 2010, 22:34

If you mean me Paul, in total honesty whatever was said passed me by
and I haven't a clue what you're on about!!?

If it is, no point brow beating about it.

I work on the basis that before posting anything I have a good vett over
whether it's something I will stand behind, tomorrow, next year etc and not regret - no point flashing off quick replies in haste and repent later.

Andrew

Unread post by **citroenxm** » 16 Jan 2010, 22:37

Thankyou Andrew

I admire you - you passion for saving the Citroens is massive and I admire that - Id love to be able to do it but cant.

Im glad to hear it passed you over.. Ive a terrible paranoid side to me that can wreak havoc in me often.

Paul

addo · Unread post by **addo** » 16 Jan 2010, 22:43

If I may be so bold as to address the original topic - is there a chance internal damage has occurred to the pinion valve?

The "stopstart" nature of his steering issues, makes me wonder about this, although I agree that inadequate supply pressure could also play a part.

Unread post by **citroenxm** » 16 Jan 2010, 22:45

Dont really think so Addo,

Over here with the wet and salty air, the UJ joint cops it... Ive changed 3 now, so I reckon after a COnfirmed Air bleedout, it could well be the UJ.

Apart from leaks on the pinion valve, ive not heard of any other problems really..

Paul

Unread post by **Peter.N.** » 16 Jan 2010, 23:30

CitroJim wrote:
citroenxm wrote: I HATE disagreements or upsets
So do I Paul. I'll agree with that! Even a small disagreement and any hint of bad feeling as a result can upset me for ages

Just a big old softy really....

Anyway, life's too bloody short for bad feelings and disagreements. We have Citroens to maintain...

My feelings exactly. I don't even like posting comments that seem to contradict others even if I think they are wrong but I sometimes do, in the nicest way I can for the benifit of the original enquirer, not that I am always right but we have all had different experiences with our cars, some of which are contrary to other peoples. If we all post our conclusions, one of us must be right

Peter