Stiff steering!
Moderator: RichardW
- froggy
- Donor 2023
- Posts: 640
- Joined: 05 Jul 2010, 20:24
- Location: too far from citrojim"s
- My Cars: S2 Xantia Forte 185435.
Peugeot 306 Meridian, the boss. - x 2
Stiff steering!
Hi, my S2 Xantia"s steering has suddenly got very stiff, Iam finding it difficult to turn the wheel ! there are no leaks visable, any ideas any one? many thanks in advance Terry.
Terry
Xantia TD lx series1 SORN
Peugeot 306 meridian [ the boss]
Xantia HDI Forte 1997 CC
Xantia TD lx series1 SORN
Peugeot 306 meridian [ the boss]
Xantia HDI Forte 1997 CC
- CitroJim
- A very naughty boy
- Posts: 49662
- Joined: 30 Apr 2005, 23:33
- Location: Paggers
- My Cars: Bluebell the AX, Polly the C3 Picasso, Pix the Nissan Pixo, Propel the duathlon bike, TCR Pro the road bike and Fuji the TT bike...
- x 6208
- Contact:
Re: Stiff steering!
Hi Terry, you've definitely lost some power assistance..
If you have lost it all the steering will be impossibly stiff and I mean by that practically unsteerable.. That fact that you can just suggests there is still a modicum of assistance there.
My first bet would be that there is a tiny air leak on the suction (input) side of the Hydraulic pump. Just a tint air leak 'twixt LHM reservoir and pump will cause heavy steering as the steering system is very demanding of high volumes of airless LHM
The air leak can be so tiny as to not cause leakage of LHM.
One quick test is to look for the returning LHM in the reservoir being frothy. If the LHM has a distinct creamy head on it then you have air ingress...
Else that the pump has gone on strike or the inlet pipe to the pump has internally collapsed and can no longer convey the volumes of LHM needed.
The suspension and braking side is not nearly so greedy of volume so a lot can go awry before it shows up as a problem there. The steering is always the first to show up any problems.
If you have lost it all the steering will be impossibly stiff and I mean by that practically unsteerable.. That fact that you can just suggests there is still a modicum of assistance there.
My first bet would be that there is a tiny air leak on the suction (input) side of the Hydraulic pump. Just a tint air leak 'twixt LHM reservoir and pump will cause heavy steering as the steering system is very demanding of high volumes of airless LHM
The air leak can be so tiny as to not cause leakage of LHM.
One quick test is to look for the returning LHM in the reservoir being frothy. If the LHM has a distinct creamy head on it then you have air ingress...
Else that the pump has gone on strike or the inlet pipe to the pump has internally collapsed and can no longer convey the volumes of LHM needed.
The suspension and braking side is not nearly so greedy of volume so a lot can go awry before it shows up as a problem there. The steering is always the first to show up any problems.
Jim
Runner, cyclist, time triallist, duathlete, Citroen AX fan and the CCC Citroenian 'From A to Z' Columnist...
Runner, cyclist, time triallist, duathlete, Citroen AX fan and the CCC Citroenian 'From A to Z' Columnist...
-
- Forum Treasurer
- Posts: 10899
- 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: Stiff steering!
You may have jumped the gun Jim, my first thought would be the UJ at the bottom of the column. Give it a good squirt with penetrating oil ( you can do this on high with full left lock on, from behind the RH front wheel. If your aim is good!). If this improves it, then you will need to get it oiled / greased properly - which is not easy, but it can be done. When this UJ goes striff the steering gets a very odd feel to it - it will go tight if you lean on gently, or move it quickly, but once you have gone past the tightness it will seem to lighten up, and then if you quickly turn it back and fore again the stiffness will have gone. It makes smooth progress pretty difficult....
Richard W
- CitroJim
- A very naughty boy
- Posts: 49662
- Joined: 30 Apr 2005, 23:33
- Location: Paggers
- My Cars: Bluebell the AX, Polly the C3 Picasso, Pix the Nissan Pixo, Propel the duathlon bike, TCR Pro the road bike and Fuji the TT bike...
- x 6208
- Contact:
Re: Stiff steering!
Good thinking Richard
Jim
Runner, cyclist, time triallist, duathlete, Citroen AX fan and the CCC Citroenian 'From A to Z' Columnist...
Runner, cyclist, time triallist, duathlete, Citroen AX fan and the CCC Citroenian 'From A to Z' Columnist...
-
- Posts: 894
- Joined: 07 Oct 2005, 16:31
- Location: North Wales
- My Cars: Citroens since 1990, BX Diesel, GTI, TZD with 1.9 TD running extra boost before it was fashionable!, ZX Volcane TD, S2 Xantia break 1.9TD, Xantia HDI 110, currently zipping about in a C2 Diesel. C2 died from the dreaded worm, C3 Picasso HDI Exclusive, the adventure continues.
- x 31
Re: Stiff steering!
My Xantia steering became very odd last year, I was thinking all about racks and pumps but lubricating that steering column UJ fixed it easily, car on high setting full left lock and greasy oily stuff on a half inch paintbrush fixed it.
BXs since 1993 built 1.9 TZD turbo, got a S2 Xantia estate, brilliant car! 2013, Xantia HDI LX 110 2000 new car with 122,000, l C2 HDI Rusty rocket, C3 Picasso HDI new to me.
- Old-Guy
- Posts: 1798
- Joined: 11 Sep 2008, 12:08
- Location: Gloucestershire
- My Cars: 2011 Grand C4 Picasso VTR+ 1.6HDi in Kyanos Blue
1995 Xantia Estate SX 1.9TD in Vert Vega "The Green Lady" - now owned by XanTom
1998 Xantia 2.1 VXD Estate in Mauritius Blue - R.I.P. (terminal tin-worm) - x 17
Re: Stiff steering!
Reservoir level (on Service High)?
Is the auxiliary drive belt tension correct? I know from experience that if the belt is not quite tight enough, the HP pump can provide enough volume for brakes and suspension but steering becomes very heavy when (un-)parking. As for impossibly heavy if NO power-assistance, it depends on tyres and surface - the Green Lady could be steered while being pushed across gritty tarmac but became near-impossible to steer once the front wheels were on a grippy workshop floor
Is the auxiliary drive belt tension correct? I know from experience that if the belt is not quite tight enough, the HP pump can provide enough volume for brakes and suspension but steering becomes very heavy when (un-)parking. As for impossibly heavy if NO power-assistance, it depends on tyres and surface - the Green Lady could be steered while being pushed across gritty tarmac but became near-impossible to steer once the front wheels were on a grippy workshop floor
2011 Grand C4 Picasso VTR+ 1.6HDi in Kyanos Blue
1995 Xantia Estate SX 1.9TD in Vert Vega "The Green Lady" - after 11 years now owned by XanTom
1998 Xantia 2.1 VXD Estate in Mauritius Blue - R.I.P. (terminal tin-worm)
1995 Xantia Estate SX 1.9TD in Vert Vega "The Green Lady" - after 11 years now owned by XanTom
1998 Xantia 2.1 VXD Estate in Mauritius Blue - R.I.P. (terminal tin-worm)
-
- Donor 2023
- Posts: 1818
- Joined: 22 Nov 2004, 00:21
- Location: Nottingham - UK
- My Cars: 2013 Peugeot 3008 Allure 1.6HDi - FD63 FWA VF3**************[VIN obfuscated, can be read by forum staff]
1995 Citroen Xantia 1.9TD S1 - M728 GDL VF7**************[VIN obfuscated, can be read by forum staff]
1996 Citroen Xantia 1.9TD SX S1 - N707 MGP (Currrently laid up)
2000 Citroen Xantia 2.0 HDi S2 - X435 JGJ VF7**************[VIN obfuscated, can be read by forum staff] (Clutch died Dec 2017 - Resurrected Easter Sunday 2021)
1997 Citroen ZX SX TD - P788 AJL
1959 Landrover Defender S2 - Two owners from new
1968 Triumph Vitesse Convertible 2.0
1980 Ford Escort RS2000 Customer - 2nd Owner
1988 Saab 900 T16S - A 1980's exercise in understated Hooliganism...
Oh! and two Harley Davidsons - A 1990 Sportster and a 2003 Fatboy 100th Anniversary (the only vehicle I have owned from new) - x 81
Re: Stiff steering!
Thank God someone raised this issue. Mine became tight too on Friday. Have to steer it back to central sometimes. Going to go and get some PlusGas on it now.
Mine has gone before and lubing UJ sorted it out.
Mine has gone before and lubing UJ sorted it out.
-
- Donor 2023
- Posts: 1818
- Joined: 22 Nov 2004, 00:21
- Location: Nottingham - UK
- My Cars: 2013 Peugeot 3008 Allure 1.6HDi - FD63 FWA VF3**************[VIN obfuscated, can be read by forum staff]
1995 Citroen Xantia 1.9TD S1 - M728 GDL VF7**************[VIN obfuscated, can be read by forum staff]
1996 Citroen Xantia 1.9TD SX S1 - N707 MGP (Currrently laid up)
2000 Citroen Xantia 2.0 HDi S2 - X435 JGJ VF7**************[VIN obfuscated, can be read by forum staff] (Clutch died Dec 2017 - Resurrected Easter Sunday 2021)
1997 Citroen ZX SX TD - P788 AJL
1959 Landrover Defender S2 - Two owners from new
1968 Triumph Vitesse Convertible 2.0
1980 Ford Escort RS2000 Customer - 2nd Owner
1988 Saab 900 T16S - A 1980's exercise in understated Hooliganism...
Oh! and two Harley Davidsons - A 1990 Sportster and a 2003 Fatboy 100th Anniversary (the only vehicle I have owned from new) - x 81
Re: Stiff steering!
Now redone. Worked a treat.
- CitroJim
- A very naughty boy
- Posts: 49662
- Joined: 30 Apr 2005, 23:33
- Location: Paggers
- My Cars: Bluebell the AX, Polly the C3 Picasso, Pix the Nissan Pixo, Propel the duathlon bike, TCR Pro the road bike and Fuji the TT bike...
- x 6208
- Contact:
Re: Stiff steering!
Roger, don't just use Plus Gas as that has no real lubricity about it..
Follow it up with a good dousing of spray grease or a spray of motorbike chain grease...
Otherwise you'll be back to square one in no time....
Follow it up with a good dousing of spray grease or a spray of motorbike chain grease...
Otherwise you'll be back to square one in no time....
Jim
Runner, cyclist, time triallist, duathlete, Citroen AX fan and the CCC Citroenian 'From A to Z' Columnist...
Runner, cyclist, time triallist, duathlete, Citroen AX fan and the CCC Citroenian 'From A to Z' Columnist...
-
- Donor 2023
- Posts: 1818
- Joined: 22 Nov 2004, 00:21
- Location: Nottingham - UK
- My Cars: 2013 Peugeot 3008 Allure 1.6HDi - FD63 FWA VF3**************[VIN obfuscated, can be read by forum staff]
1995 Citroen Xantia 1.9TD S1 - M728 GDL VF7**************[VIN obfuscated, can be read by forum staff]
1996 Citroen Xantia 1.9TD SX S1 - N707 MGP (Currrently laid up)
2000 Citroen Xantia 2.0 HDi S2 - X435 JGJ VF7**************[VIN obfuscated, can be read by forum staff] (Clutch died Dec 2017 - Resurrected Easter Sunday 2021)
1997 Citroen ZX SX TD - P788 AJL
1959 Landrover Defender S2 - Two owners from new
1968 Triumph Vitesse Convertible 2.0
1980 Ford Escort RS2000 Customer - 2nd Owner
1988 Saab 900 T16S - A 1980's exercise in understated Hooliganism...
Oh! and two Harley Davidsons - A 1990 Sportster and a 2003 Fatboy 100th Anniversary (the only vehicle I have owned from new) - x 81
Re: Stiff steering!
Too late Jim. PlusGas used up. Not got time to do spray grease now but may in Austria if warm enough.
Any colour? White grease? Silver Grease?
Any colour? White grease? Silver Grease?
- CitroJim
- A very naughty boy
- Posts: 49662
- Joined: 30 Apr 2005, 23:33
- Location: Paggers
- My Cars: Bluebell the AX, Polly the C3 Picasso, Pix the Nissan Pixo, Propel the duathlon bike, TCR Pro the road bike and Fuji the TT bike...
- x 6208
- Contact:
Re: Stiff steering!
The oily, yellow stuff for preference Roger, think chain greaseRhothgar wrote:
Any colour? White grease? Silver Grease?
Have a lovely time in Austria
Jim
Runner, cyclist, time triallist, duathlete, Citroen AX fan and the CCC Citroenian 'From A to Z' Columnist...
Runner, cyclist, time triallist, duathlete, Citroen AX fan and the CCC Citroenian 'From A to Z' Columnist...
-
- Donor 2023
- Posts: 1818
- Joined: 22 Nov 2004, 00:21
- Location: Nottingham - UK
- My Cars: 2013 Peugeot 3008 Allure 1.6HDi - FD63 FWA VF3**************[VIN obfuscated, can be read by forum staff]
1995 Citroen Xantia 1.9TD S1 - M728 GDL VF7**************[VIN obfuscated, can be read by forum staff]
1996 Citroen Xantia 1.9TD SX S1 - N707 MGP (Currrently laid up)
2000 Citroen Xantia 2.0 HDi S2 - X435 JGJ VF7**************[VIN obfuscated, can be read by forum staff] (Clutch died Dec 2017 - Resurrected Easter Sunday 2021)
1997 Citroen ZX SX TD - P788 AJL
1959 Landrover Defender S2 - Two owners from new
1968 Triumph Vitesse Convertible 2.0
1980 Ford Escort RS2000 Customer - 2nd Owner
1988 Saab 900 T16S - A 1980's exercise in understated Hooliganism...
Oh! and two Harley Davidsons - A 1990 Sportster and a 2003 Fatboy 100th Anniversary (the only vehicle I have owned from new) - x 81
Re: Stiff steering!
Normal grease then Jim?
Hope you have a nice Xmas too mate.
Hope you have a nice Xmas too mate.
- CitroJim
- A very naughty boy
- Posts: 49662
- Joined: 30 Apr 2005, 23:33
- Location: Paggers
- My Cars: Bluebell the AX, Polly the C3 Picasso, Pix the Nissan Pixo, Propel the duathlon bike, TCR Pro the road bike and Fuji the TT bike...
- x 6208
- Contact:
Re: Stiff steering!
Yes, that's it Roger but of the spray varietyRhothgar wrote:Normal grease then Jim?
Jim
Runner, cyclist, time triallist, duathlete, Citroen AX fan and the CCC Citroenian 'From A to Z' Columnist...
Runner, cyclist, time triallist, duathlete, Citroen AX fan and the CCC Citroenian 'From A to Z' Columnist...