S60 Steering play

Dave D5 · Mar 14th, 2018, 20:51

Hi Guys,

Haven't been on here since I sold my S70 T5 and regretted it ever since, selling the car that is!

I bought an S60 D5 185bhp with 279,000 miles on the clock. The car was looked after up to 2 years ago and now needs some work. Got it cheap so hopefully I'll break even.

I have play in the steering, I thought it was due to badly worn bushes but changed them all and still no joy.
Had to change an inner tie rod.
I checked the bolts on the steering joint before the rack and all is ok. It seems it's in the rack.
What I'd like to know before I go pulling the rack out for refurbishment is there anything else I should be looking at?

JGTTDI · Mar 15th, 2018, 09:00

What kind of play can you feel in the steering? Is it left to right? Up and down?

Also what suspension components have you replaced?

Dave D5 · Mar 16th, 2018, 07:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by JGTTDI

What kind of play can you feel in the steering? Is it left to right? Up and down?

Also what suspension components have you replaced?

Hi,
Play is left to right, all components to the rack seem ok. When someone is moving the wheel from left to right I can see the joint just before the rack moving.

Just want to be absolutely sure before I go getting the rack refurbished.

Thassos · Mar 16th, 2018, 08:00

If its a vagueness in the steering and slight wandering over things like raised roadmarkings then front wishbone bushes are usually the culprit, at the miles yours has i would expect it to have had these replaced at least once or twice ... can post some pics of worn and new let me know if you would like..

ThomasG · Mar 16th, 2018, 09:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thassos

If its a vagueness in the steering and slight wandering over things like raised roadmarkings then front wishbone bushes are usually the culprit, at the miles yours has i would expect it to have had these replaced at least once or twice ... can post some pics of worn and new let me know if you would like..

I would..
Please..

oragex · Mar 16th, 2018, 15:03

There are two couplers between the steering column and the rack: the outer one which you mention you see it moving when shacking the wheels, and the inner one which is just above the brake pedal.

You can easily remove the wing screw shown at 1:30 here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3oVOuQeW7s

Just remove the large rubber boot secured with a metal clip at the base, and you can now try by hand each coupler for play. The torque specs for the wing screw are given in the comments section (always insert it the same side as it was before removing it)

The Landshark · Mar 16th, 2018, 22:42

make sure the front wishbone bushes are installed the right way round, mine had similar symptoms and the dealer recommended a new rack, however once the bushes were fitted the right way round all was well and all has stayed well for three years now.

Dave D5 · Mar 17th, 2018, 09:00

I gt my mechanic to fit all new bushes in both wishbones and new ball joints and drop links.
They all look fine and as they should.

I'll have a look at the second joint and see if there is any play there.

Thanks lads

Thassos · Mar 19th, 2018, 15:57

Hi ThomasG,

Here are a few pics, showing the front bush (and yes it can be put in accidentally round the 'wrong' way resulting in some strange steering geometry!... 2nd pic give an idea of a new/unworn bush gap. The last pic shows the old bush, if you use a pry bar when the car is sitting on wheels you can see what sort of movement & wear you have, the bush was improved apparently, but i think volvo may only sell the whole wishbone now. I have a load of other pics on getting the wishbone off, you need to use new stretch bolts btw.

Dave D5 · Mar 20th, 2018, 15:47

So, after further investigation I have found where the problem seems to be.
I checked the steering column and found the play is on the inside of the car at the joint close to the floor.
I tightened the bolts to no avail, the column passes though a sleeve and the play seem to be in the sleeve. The sleeve turns with the column but when i move the wheel slightly the column move but the sleeve doesn't.
After the slack has been taken up the sleeve moves.

Any ideas?

Mar 14th, 2018, 20:51	#1
Dave D5 New Member Last Online: Jan 26th, 2019 15:05 Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Carbury	S60 Steering play Hi Guys, Haven't been on here since I sold my S70 T5 and regretted it ever since, selling the car that is! I bought an S60 D5 185bhp with 279,000 miles on the clock. The car was looked after up to 2 years ago and now needs some work. Got it cheap so hopefully I'll break even. I have play in the steering, I thought it was due to badly worn bushes but changed them all and still no joy. Had to change an inner tie rod. I checked the bolts on the steering joint before the rack and all is ok. It seems it's in the rack. What I'd like to know before I go pulling the rack out for refurbishment is there anything else I should be looking at?

Mar 16th, 2018, 08:00	#4
Thassos GoldMember Last Online: Apr 25th, 2024 22:46 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Kent, UK	front wishbone bushes If its a vagueness in the steering and slight wandering over things like raised roadmarkings then front wishbone bushes are usually the culprit, at the miles yours has i would expect it to have had these replaced at least once or twice ... can post some pics of worn and new let me know if you would like..

Mar 16th, 2018, 15:03	#6
oragex Premier Member Last Online: Jul 26th, 2021 21:24 Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Coldnada	There are two couplers between the steering column and the rack: the outer one which you mention you see it moving when shacking the wheels, and the inner one which is just above the brake pedal. You can easily remove the wing screw shown at 1:30 here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3oVOuQeW7s Just remove the large rubber boot secured with a metal clip at the base, and you can now try by hand each coupler for play. The torque specs for the wing screw are given in the comments section (always insert it the same side as it was before removing it) __________________ Several Volvo Repair Videos https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...ECTts0FSVSOT_c

Mar 15th, 2018, 09:00	#2
JGTTDI Member Last Online: Jun 9th, 2023 09:08 Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Durham	What kind of play can you feel in the steering? Is it left to right? Up and down? Also what suspension components have you replaced?

Mar 16th, 2018, 22:42	#7
The Landshark Member Last Online: Feb 11th, 2021 08:11 Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Mallow	make sure the front wishbone bushes are installed the right way round, mine had similar symptoms and the dealer recommended a new rack, however once the bushes were fitted the right way round all was well and all has stayed well for three years now.

Mar 17th, 2018, 09:00	#8
Dave D5 New Member Last Online: Jan 26th, 2019 15:05 Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Carbury	I gt my mechanic to fit all new bushes in both wishbones and new ball joints and drop links. They all look fine and as they should. I'll have a look at the second joint and see if there is any play there. Thanks lads

Mar 20th, 2018, 15:47	#10
Dave D5 New Member Last Online: Jan 26th, 2019 15:05 Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Carbury	So, after further investigation I have found where the problem seems to be. I checked the steering column and found the play is on the inside of the car at the joint close to the floor. I tightened the bolts to no avail, the column passes though a sleeve and the play seem to be in the sleeve. The sleeve turns with the column but when i move the wheel slightly the column move but the sleeve doesn't. After the slack has been taken up the sleeve moves. Any ideas?

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