Failed steering rack 2005 V70 2.4D

[RAN60]

Going back to the second hand and reconditioned racks, i had a brand new one rack supplied by volvo fitted after an insurance repair and it failed (internal valve was knackered and leaking) they then fitted a replacement this time at the dealer and that one was faulty too (was pulling into centre).


3rd time lucky!! This rack seems to be fine now, but goes to show even the volvo supplied racks (probably factory reconditioned) are not 100% trust worthy at the £600 odd price they charge.

[V40fan]

Originally Posted by outnumbered

cheap option first do a flush and go from there

Should it be flushed with anything in particular? I take it I need to replace with standard Volvo fluid? Will try and take it to an independent garage to do this.

[V40fan]

Originally Posted by RAN60

Going back to the second hand and reconditioned racks, i had a brand new one rack supplied by volvo fitted after an insurance repair and it failed (internal valve was knackered and leaking) they then fitted a replacement this time at the dealer and that one was faulty too (was pulling into centre).


3rd time lucky!! This rack seems to be fine now, but goes to show even the volvo supplied racks (probably factory reconditioned) are not 100% trust worthy at the £600 odd price they charge.

Crikey, that fills me full of confidence. The car's fine most of the time on my motorway commute so perhaps I'll try and avoid corners from now on.

[V40fan]

Originally Posted by reesky

I had similiar problems in my 2004 model.

Checked the fluid - it was brown. So someone had put green on top of the (wrong!) red.

Flushed it out with 11s or 202.

It helped a bit.

The only thing that really helped was a Lucas additive aroudn 18 months ago which causes the seals to expand slightly - but beware, these aren't for everyone and some claim they do more harm than good. In my case, it's done more good than harm...

What colour should the fluid be?

[reesky]

Green :-)

[swedishandgerman]

I was told by my local dealer that P2's originally had red power steering fluid, but later changed to green CHF (Central Hydraulic Fluid). Switching to the latter I was told was fine, but switching from green to red is not! Why that is, I can't tell you. My 2001 had red in it, though it had turned brown!

Flushing is easy. Disconnect the return pipe to the reservoir and collect it in a container whilst the engine in running. Take care not to let the reservoir run out. Turn the steering from side to side. Keep going until good clean fluid comes out with no bubbles.

3 pairs of hands would be useful; 1 in the driver's seat, 1 person collecting fluid and another to pour it in.

I used 3 bottles of CHF as my steering had gone lumpy. I also fitted a new reservoir because of a tiny little valve that became loose in the old one. I also, sprayed thin grease around the bottom knuckle of the steering shaft. It solved the problem entirely when my initial thought was that the rack had had it!

However, as I say, the steering had become lumpy, not kicking as you're describing.... I have to say that I think your luck is out, but for the sake of a few quid, it might be worth the effort.