Does the 2014 S60 T5 FWD have speed sensitive power steering? A little bit of background - I recently bought one and yes, it was one state away and I bought it without a test drive or inspection. It looked almost brand new in the ad and I thought I found the best example of a 7 year old S60. Lesson learned because on the drive home I immediately noticed an alignment issue. Needless to say, the car was then inspected at the local Volvo dealership here, where of course, the front end was out of alignment to the point of a new set of tires. The previous owner must have not paid too much attention to the vibrations at higher speeds because the front tires had significant uneven wear. No steering issues were mentioned in the Volvo dealership's inspection. The wheel alignment and new tires did help ever so slightly but it feels nothing compared to the easy to turn steering wheel of a 2013 T5 FWD model that I test drove a couple of months prior. I greatly appreciate any advice and/or suggestions before following back up with the dealership.

 

No if the steering is heavy at parking with the engine running then you have an issue , variable assist is - most assist at slow to no speed and less assis at higher speed , one does not really need any assist at speed , so unfortunately you have a problem, I am not familiar with this model , perhaps someone else can help , or have it checked out

 

Online owners manual


https://www.volvocars.com/en-jo/supp...283-2014-13w46

 

Thanks, now I see where it says it is an option. I had the owners manual that came with the car out one day going through it and must have missed it. The original window sticker has "Power Assisted Rack & Pinion steering". I am a little surprised that it is only an option. My car is a 2014 T5 FWD, Premier Plus and has the Blind Spot Information System Package, Technology Package and Dual Xenon Headlights with Washers. The car I test drove and seemed to have it was a 2013 T5 FWD Premier with heated seats. TQUOTE=ssicarman;505111]Online owners manual


https://www.volvocars.com/en-jo/supp...283-2014-13w46[/QUOTE]

 

Well you mentioned stiff steering , none of the options have a stiff steering , normal assist is very light all the time , the option one is slightly better feel at speed but certainly not stiff , so perhaps check it out, stiff steering could be , faulty shock top mounts , faulty powersteering pump or belt, or the steering rack , all modern cars have power assisted rack and pinion steering , more modern ones use electric/hydrolic and some only electric , not surewhat yours is, older ones was a pump driven by the motor to run the hydlolic system
The only system that may seem 'stiff' is the full electric one , like on my Alfa , when one changes driving modes the steering gets 'stiff' on sport mode

 

Update... Started to notice an increasing play in the steering wheel and ended up replacing all of the tie rods. If anything, the steering wheel play is more pronounced than before. The mechanic suggested replacing the rack and pinion and quoted me a price of $2900. Uggh

 

That's where I may be heading. Bought 2006 S60 2.5 t with intermittent power steering. Had leaks in the pump and hoses. After replacing the pump everything was fine, BUT after 2 days, the problem returned. Fluid is dark brown with red tinge. I will have the lines replaced next Friday and will ask for the system flush. What sucks is that line replacement is 80% of labor needed to replace the rack, but I will not know if the rack is bad until the lines are replaced and system flushed. Also, check your lower u-joint between steering column and the rack (have to get to it through the floor). That might be a problem. Finally, that steering rack replacement quote is a highway robbery. It should be half that price with an aftermarket rack (Detroit Axle has a replacement for $369)