V70 Steering: oh woe is me

[madmuffet]

MOT time again,
failed on excess play in steering (again)
Last MOT I had a new rack fitted, the guy at the mot place reckons the bits that are protected behind the rubber boot COULD be a separate part and therefore to blame.
Before I go swinging a lead pipe at the mechanic who did the rack last year, I wondered if there's a breakdown diagram/parts list for the rack to see.

The actual words on the MOT refusal paper are
"Nearside Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel (steering rack fitted) [2.2.A.1b]

It's a 2006 ex plod V70.

oh, and has anyone near Chorley got DICE/VIDA and the willingness to remove the DIM SRS fault (cos I unplugged the heater controls to fit a dvd player) without robbing me blind?

Cheers folks,
Gary

[100K+]

My V70 T5 has had the trackrods replaced a couple of MOT's ago, without having the rack replaced. As you suggest they were behind the rubber boots at the end of the rack.
IIRC there are two different makes/type and you obviously need to get the correct ones. However, if I was replacing the rack( and with the miles a Plod will have) I would have thought they would have changed the track rods too.

Replacement is a DIY job, BUT if nuts cannot be slacken cos they are too tight/corroded it becomes a PIA especially if you are working on a drive way.

Cheers

Bob

[madmuffet]

Thanks Bob, I'm hoping it's something like that.
Replaced the bearings, the bottom ball joints before they did the rack last year, all that's left is the ends of the rack tie bars.
Spoke to the garage who'll have a look on tues for me... watch this space ;-)

Just the 2 tyres and SRS DIM warning to sort now....

[cheshired5]

If it is the inner tie rods, the comment on the mot is normally specific to them.
I had a specific advisory for tie rod play, so have just done mine on the drive the other day, using a dedicated tie rod removal tool and it was very easy.
On S60, it's an SMI rack up to 2003 (shorter tie rods+longer track rod ends) and ZF thereafter so definitely check if V70 follows suit.
Halfords quote for both sides was £320.
Doing it myself cost £44 and one hour of my time.

[Georgeandkira]

Hello, Could you post a link to a tool catalog showing that dedicated tool?
Also, is the ZF or SMI name/trademark how you tell the difference? Kira

[cheshired5]

Originally Posted by Georgeandkira

Hello, Could you post a link to a tool catalog showing that dedicated tool?
Also, is the ZF or SMI name/trademark how you tell the difference? Kira

Hi Kira.
My gaiters were original and had SMI stamped on them and my car was manufactured way the before the changeover so it was an easy assumption.
A decent parts supplier should know though from your reg./chassis number.
Eurocarparts over here also have a specification box so you can confirm compatibility (see pics).
The link to my tool is here http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1312286865...84.m1497.l2649
For some, £28 may sound a lot for a one off (or once every 10 year) tool but it makes the job so quick and easy it was a simple decision for me and the saving I made doing the job myself paid for the tool many times over.
I'll post a dedicated thread for tie rod removal shortly which will include a video I made to show how simple a job this is.

[Night rider]

I can recommend a good volvo Indy, not to far from you in preston I use them all the time they have vida dice, and a good knowledge , Altys of preston, look on their website,

[turbo d]

Originally Posted by cheshired5

Hi Kira.
My gaiters were original and had SMI stamped on them and my car was manufactured way the before the changeover so it was an easy assumption.
A decent parts supplier should know though from your reg./chassis number.
Eurocarparts over here also have a specification box so you can confirm compatibility (see pics).
The link to my tool is here http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1312286865...84.m1497.l2649
For some, £28 may sound a lot for a one off (or once every 10 year) tool but it makes the job so quick and easy it was a simple decision for me and the saving I made doing the job myself paid for the tool many times over.
I'll post a dedicated thread for tie rod removal shortly which will include video I made to show how simple a job this is.

you could offer the use of the tool for a fiver + postage both ways! as you might only need it once every 10 years it would easily get your investment back and also help members as well.