more steering rack problems
 

Hi, I have a 1998 V70. About 2 years ago I purchased a refurb TRW steering rack. After a year the steering became heavy so I put a bottle of Lucas Stop Leak in and problem solved. I was loosing fluid but not externally so not sure where it was going. Anyway leak stopped and steering light again. A few months ago steering again became heavy but no outwards signs of leaking fluid and no fluid is being lost. I am thinking of throwing in another bottle of Lucas or buying a repair kit. Should I go the kit route do I need any special tools.
Could the system need bleeding or do the racks bleed themselves. I have checked tyre pressures and they are fine.I would very much appreciate opinions please. thanks jack.

Not 100% certain, but I think you need to support engine and lower the subframe, remove anti roll bar etc.
Could be quite a job especially if you only have jack & stands...
Actually replacing the seals shouldn't be that hard...famous last word !!

Hi volvo again, many thanks for that. Before I get a kit fitted I need to explore the possible causes of the heavy steering given that the rack is not loosing fluid.jack

Jack, just a thought. Isn't there a spacer that goes between the middle rack mount and the chassis. Is it in place? If not it might be bending the rack and causing friction. As I say, just a thought.
Hugh:omg_smile:

If the rack is not leaking I don't see any point in replacing seals. To bleed air out of the system, run engine and slowly turn steering from lock to lock a few times, this will remove any air, easier if the car is raised to save tyres scrubbing...or drive front wheels onto a couple of old magazines - old trick, lets the tyres slip round easier.
Is there any foaming or bubbles in the fluid reservoir when running? This usually indicates air.
Is the steering stiff or just heavy?
Stiff steering could be a number of reasons, faulty rack, faulty pump, steering joints worn or damaged, especially track rod ball joints, steering column u/j's worn, old thick fluid, worn drive belt...
You've checked tyre pressures, that is the no.1 reason for heavy steering

Hi guys, Thank you both very much for the info. The steering is heavy but lightens up at speed. It`s as though I have 10lbs psi in the tyres. When the rack was fitted my mechanic also changed the inner and outer track rod ends and all 4 wheels were tracked. There is no noise from the pump. I have nothing to loose by adding the Lucas oil and then bleeding. Could the pump be faulty yet still remain quiet. I would very much appreciate your further opinions. thanks jack.

I'm having similar issues with my (00) V70 T5 at the moment. Steering wheel sits naturally at about 10 degrees ACW to drive straight, and when I top the fluid up it lasts me about 3/4 miles before going heavy again. Then the next time I park it leaks out all over the car park/my drive. So to me that suggests that it's not the rack that's gone, because it's dumping more once it's depressurised (engine off, etc) - so it's a bit higher up the system, hopfully just the pipework going into the control valve or something easy to replace. I thought the steering wheel angle might suggest that it's after the control valve (and that it's the system trying to make up for a loss in pressure on one side) but it's still doing it now there's basically no fluid in the system. So that's probably just the tracking that needs sorting.

I've only had the car a month (my first Volvo actually) and I'm planning to have it up on stands tonight to get a look at it properly, I'm hoping it's just the associated piping that's just had enough after 19 years, but do you guys know if it's a common issue to have leaky steering racks?

Also Jack, in my experience using stop-leak is usually only good once. Each time you use it, the interval will be shorter before you'll need to use it again.

Cheers

Hi Bewsa, I shall be most interested to know what is causing your problem as my steering is still heavy but not loosing fluid. I think racks do become a problem later in life and from reading previous threads its normally down to leaks. Thanks for the info re Lucas. jack

Hi Bewsa
Two thoughts for you.
I had evidence of fluid leak from my steering rack so I booked it in to Halfords for a free steering check. They confirmed that the seals were starting to go and quoted £508 for a recon steering rack fitted (three weeks lead time for a rack)
I took the car to Steering Specialists Limited in Horbury who took the rack out, rebushed and sealed it and put it back for £360.
Dave

That just about sums up Halford...just my opinion though