Retro fit R Design Steering Rack

[Batlamb]

Hello All

I love my C30 but the steering is not the best. After doing a bit of research I understand the R Designs have improved Steering Racks. Has anyone fitted an R Design rack to an non R Design? If so was it an easy job?

[Clan]

Originally Posted by Batlamb

Hello All

I love my C30 but the steering is not the best. After doing a bit of research I understand the R Designs have improved Steering Racks. Has anyone fitted an R Design rack to an non R Design? If so was it an easy job?

Steering racks are not related to the trim fitted to the car ...

[Batlamb]

So are you saying that the steering set up is the same on a R Design as it is on my SE?

[Clan]

Originally Posted by Batlamb

So are you saying that the steering set up is the same on a R Design as it is on my SE?

yes all the same

[Batlamb]

Well this is what the Volvo website is saying about the differences.

In order to meet the high standards, the R-Design chassis has been modified in several areas. The steering is more precise owing to the installation of stiffer bushings. The steering ratio is lower, giving 10 % faster response to steering wheel input. Spring stiffness has been increased by no less than 30 % in order to increase the car's poise in enthusiastic driving. The dampers too are stiffer and are now of the exclusive mono-tube type that builds up pressure much more quickly. The roll stabilizers are stiffer to reduce any leaning tendency when taking corners.

[Clan]

Originally Posted by Batlamb

Well this is what the Volvo website is saying about the differences.

In order to meet the high standards, the R-Design chassis has been modified in several areas. The steering is more precise owing to the installation of stiffer bushings. The steering ratio is lower, giving 10 % faster response to steering wheel input. Spring stiffness has been increased by no less than 30 % in order to increase the car's poise in enthusiastic driving. The dampers too are stiffer and are now of the exclusive mono-tube type that builds up pressure much more quickly. The roll stabilizers are stiffer to reduce any leaning tendency when taking corners.

There are 4 different racks available you always have to look up the correct part number , differences are chassis number and whether they have a lock limiter built in ( for the very wide tyres ) they are all the same type of rack visually the same and not related to the trim in the parts listing ..

so if you need a new rack it needs looking up on the parts listing .

[T5R92011]

In my household we have an 2008 S40 T5 R-Design and a 2012 C30 2.0 R-Design.

From what I can gather, the only difference in steering is that the C30 has less available lock than the S40.. even though they have exactly the same size tyre! (205/50/17)

My S40 T5 has a fantastic turning circle as a result, whereas the C30's is nearly as bad as my old S60!

I don't notice the steering to be any more responsive in the C30 than the S40.. Though both have the factory strut brace so front end turn in is pretty sharp anyway.

[kmb]

Interesting discussion, surely R-Design relates to the chassis and trim (including rack), not just trim level? Since it rides lower on stiffer shocks etc.

As mentioned the correct way to check and confirm what you have is to start with the chassis number, I find Skandix really handy for doing this too via VIN.

[andy_d]

Originally Posted by kmb

Interesting discussion, surely R-Design relates to the chassis and trim (including rack), not just trim level? Since it rides lower on stiffer shocks etc.

As mentioned the correct way to check and confirm what you have is to start with the chassis number, I find Skandix really handy for doing this too via VIN.

nope
the confusion is due to the old "R" being a different beast to the normal volvo's
then volvo introduced the R-design and people wrongly assume its a "R" , it isnt "R-design" is JUST trim , usually the BOG BASE model with tarted up trim a "fancy" badge and hiked price.
"R-design" isnt a "R" of old its a **** poor pale comparison to a Proper "R"

[kmb]

Originally Posted by Batlamb

Well this is what the Volvo website is saying about the differences.

In order to meet the high standards, the R-Design chassis has been modified in several areas. The steering is more precise owing to the installation of stiffer bushings. The steering ratio is lower, giving 10 % faster response to steering wheel input. Spring stiffness has been increased by no less than 30 % in order to increase the car's poise in enthusiastic driving. The dampers too are stiffer and are now of the exclusive mono-tube type that builds up pressure much more quickly. The roll stabilizers are stiffer to reduce any leaning tendency when taking corners.

Andy-D - I know what you're saying but the above is lifted straight from the 2010 onwards Volvo C30 catalogue, so the R Design on these cars did mean something different? I can see on mine (and other C30 R-Design of the same year) that they have a thicker front strut brace than the earlier ones and apparently the other things above?

So, agreed is was not an R in the old form for the R Design, but the above was not just trim when they re-modelled the C30 in 2010? Unless all the C30's had the changes above from 2010 onward, which would then make sense.