C5 X7 Heavy Steering, Continued Troubleshooting....

[ThoreT]

I posted earlier about my C5 X7 (steel sprung, electropump) which has developed heavy steering. It still has servo assist, but heavier than it should be.

LDS level is correct. The system has been bled by turning the steering wheel 10 times side to side. The steering rack had a minor leak in the steering entry seal (which is quite normal...), the rack was replaced, as I would have done in any case, but no change. The front suspension was checked by my trusted mechanic, all geometry within tolerance. Tire pressure is correct. The battery is fresch and of high quality, output voltage under load is good. I had a spare electropump on the shelf, which was installed, but still no change. The electrical connections are clean. With the front jacked up, the steering is light and smooth, so no friction in any mechanical part of the steering loop, at least when unloaded.

Where should I go next? Possible, for some reason, low input voltage to the pump? Is the pump RPM controlled by actual output pressure, or by supplying input voltage, assuming correct output pressure? Could the pump receive incorrect input voltage because of wrong values from the steering angle sensor or the BSI, and could this be detected by Diagbox? Possible friction in a lower ball joint or other suspension component when under load?

"shooting a bit from the hip" here, but maybe someone have ideas or experience to aid in my troubleshooting?

All the best,
Thore

[Sloppysod]

Thore, Is the top suspension mount/bearing in good condition?

[GiveMeABreak]

Have you run a full diagnostic as there are specific codes to troubleshoot the PS system. Failing that they only suggest for incorrect operation that it can be Tyres, Steering Wheel Angle Sensor (if that was out though you would likely be getting an ESP warning), Front Axle Assembly or Electropump Assembly.

[lemonrider]

I have exactly the same problem on my 2011 C5 HDI160 tourer, tried out all the tests and no faults, the steering works good when pulled without stop when vehicle is parked, if you pull little it began to be heavy but with little servomovements (like stop and go). When you drive it is heavy all the time. I tested also with Lexia and no faults, maybe interesting: when performing the steering test in lexia at 3000 rpm it is working without this stop and go movements (parked). Maybe it comes from a bad actator motor: https://www.andre-citroen-club.de/forum ... nt-1903547 ????