Steering: Gaining access to the steering rack

[EuanW]

Morning all,

My mechanic thinks I need a new steering rack in my 2005 XC90. It's notchy when driving, and incredibly stiff at low revs.

I've found two companies to provide reconditioned racks, but the problem is the need to know whether it's:

1. Push in pipes
2. Push in pipes with sensor
3. Screw in pipes
4. Screw in pipes with sensor

I can't actually see the rack to determine this. Does anyone know of a way to find this out without taking the car to bits?

Many thanks

[SwissXC90]

Put your car VIN into VIDA and it will tell you exactly what is fitted to your car

If you have no access to VIDA, PM me your VIN and I'll look it up for you

[EuanW]

Originally Posted by SwissXC90

Put your car VIN into VIDA and it will tell you exactly what is fitted to your car

If you have no access to VIDA, PM me your VIN and I'll look it up for you

That's very kind of you. I don't have access to VIDA.

VIN Number is:YV1CZ796751210894

I got told that the VIDA database wasn't always accurate and I may end up ordering the wrong thing. Am I being told wrong?

Many thanks again

[aland]

Also check it's really the rack.
I had similar symptoms on a Toyota once and it turned out to be one of the steering column universal-joints that had become stiff !

[SwissXC90]

Originally Posted by EuanW

I got told that the VIDA database wasn't always accurate and I may end up ordering the wrong thing. Am I being told wrong?

I do not know.
I can only look it up for you.
I cannot determine if the result I find is correct or not.
But I believe in God VIDA.

[S60D5-185]

Originally Posted by aland

Also check it's really the rack.
I had similar symptoms on a Toyota once and it turned out to be one of the steering column universal-joints that had become stiff !

+1 always check this first and give it a good squirt with penetrating oil to see if it makes a difference.

It really can on some cars where the joint is starting to dry out and become stiff.

[SwissXC90]

Originally Posted by EuanW

That's very kind of you. I don't have access to VIDA.

VIN Number is:YV1CZ796751210894

That's a MY2005 XC90 with D5244T engine and AW50/51 AWD transmission

Well in this case VIDA is not so helpful. There are a multitude of options:

Steering Gear, Standard
Steering gear, exch 1.00 EU 36050020
EXCH FOR 30636296, 30723824
See Vehicle information

Steering gear, exch 1.00 EU 36050021
EXCH FOR 30636297, 30723825
At replacement also order: 1 PCS 30741476.
See Vehicle information

Steering gear, exch 1.00 EU 36050021
EXCH FOR 30723749, 30764338, 31200968, 31280335
See Vehicle information

Steering gear, exch 1.00 EU 36050022
EXCH FOR 30680733, 31200974, 31280337
See Vehicle information

Steering Gear, Speed Dependent
Steering gear, exch 1.00 EU 36050024
EXCH FOR 30636298, 30723827
At replacement also order: 1 PCS 30741476.
See Vehicle information
Steering gear, exch 1.00 EU 36050024
EXCH FOR 30723746, 30764334, 31200970
See Vehicle information

Steering gear, exch 1.00 EU 36050025
EXCH FOR 30680735, 31200976
See Vehicle information

Steering gear, exch 1.00 EU 36050026
EXCH FOR 30635785, 31200980
See Vehicle information

Steering gear, exch 1.00 EU 36050027
EXCH FOR 30635787, 31200978
See Vehicle information

[binty]

I from memory, and someone may be able to confirm this, if yours has speed sensitive steering the wires from the rack connect via a multiplug which is at the side of the scuttle drain tube on the bulkhead, between the brake servo and the drivers side suspension turret.
If you have the wires plugged in you have speed sensitive. (My 2006 D5 SE has speed sensitive steering so I guess yours may have as well).

Notchy steering is quite common, I was thinking of swapping my rack but it cured with a fluid change and flush through (I may have been lucky). If it is brown its bad, green is good, think I may have posted on here about it with pictures a couple of years ago.

I took the decision to spend on 2 litres of genuine Volvo fluid before committing to a rack and am glad I did.

Picture of my bad and good fluid is below.

[EuanW]

Originally Posted by binty

I from memory, and someone may be able to confirm this, if yours has speed sensitive steering the wires from the rack connect via a multiplug which is at the side of the scuttle drain tube on the bulkhead, between the brake servo and the drivers side suspension turret.
If you have the wires plugged in you have speed sensitive. (My 2006 D5 SE has speed sensitive steering so I guess yours may have as well).

Notchy steering is quite common, I was thinking of swapping my rack but it cured with a fluid change and flush through (I may have been lucky). If it is brown its bad, green is good, think I may have posted on here about it with pictures a couple of years ago.

I took the decision to spend on 2 litres of genuine Volvo fluid before committing to a rack and am glad I did.

Picture of my bad and good fluid is below.

Many thanks SwissXC90 and Binty. I'll try the fluid change first. Failing that, I have a borescope I'll try and wiggle in to see the steering rack.

[colinbos]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DjUmy4prx4

follow this guide for a full fluid change.......

it sorted my very bad 'twitching and tyre scrub', as well as hydraulic knock.