Does a new steering rack need bedding in?

[Shevek]

Hi all, hope someone can help.

I've just had the steering rack replaced on my '04 C70 after it failed it's MOT.

I have the car back but the steering, especially at low speed, feels like there's no PAS at all. It's quite hard work trying to turn the car.

It almost feels like it's sticking, then there's a knock (felt, not heard) as it frees itself, then it's stiff to turn.

It's also not re-centering very well, if at all.

Is this because a new rack needs bedding in or is something wrong?

The steering wheel also tracks slightly right from straight ahead.

He said he'd done the tracking and alignment as part of the work, but it really doesn't feel like it.

Cheers

[stephenevans99]

Take it back mate....that definately doesn't sound right.

[stribo]

Sounds like they haven't bled the system.

[Shevek]

Take it back mate....that definately doesn't sound right.

Yeah, that's what I thought :(

I've already had nearly a week of craziness without the car... back it goes tomorrow

[merc85]

Yeah, that's what I thought :(

I've already had nearly a week of craziness without the car... back it goes tomorrow

Check the fluid level bud, if its down, top it up and rotate the steering to full lock one way then the other, do this a couple of times then recheck. top up if required. then that should sort it.

If not take the car back to them, a cheaply reconed rack may have been supplied.

[Shevek]

Check the fluid level bud, if its down, top it up and rotate the steering to full lock one way then the other, do this a couple of times then recheck. top up if required. then that should sort it.

Wow, that has made a HUGE difference! steering is lighter and no knock feeling.

However, it's still not centring properly, only on right turns...

Left turns come back nicely to centre but right turns, it keeps going right and I have to wrench it back to centre :(

(luckily I have a parallel road to mine with 3 cross roads, all quiet, so I did loads of figure 8 laps to test it!)

[merc85]

keep going lock to lock slowly then recheck the level, it would also be advisable to get the tracking checked. They really should had done all this before handing the car back tbh. hopefully after a few lock to locks it will sort it.

[Harvey]

Just wonder if they put the wrong fluid in,I think the volvo stuff is different.

[stribo]

Yeah, alot of manufactures use ATF, Volvo use proper PAS fluid, but make sure it's bled properly, the method Merc has told you is how you bleed the system.

[Shevek]

Is there any way to tell the difference? It looked greenish in colour in the header tank (same as the PAS stuff I've been using to top it up for the last year or so)

[Shevek]

I've just put in a third top up of fluid (it's CHF fluid I've been using) after another run out...

I'll keep checking it over the weekend and if it's not better by Monday I'll take it back in for another alignment.

[Harvey]

Just how much fluid have you had to put in,the garage should have gone lock to lock a number of times the bleed the air out the system.
If you have to top it up to much the rack seals could be leaking into the gaiters ?.
It looks like garage didn't check the tracking at least.

[LeeT5]

:welcome:

Firstly, the garage have done a shoddy job by the sounds of it. Whats been said is all true, thou it's best to bleed the steering with the front wheels OFF the deck. This prevents you from scrubbing a flat spot on your tyres and also prevent the pump from straining if there is air in the system, which in your case, there clearly is.

Regards the steering not self centering, that will be because they haven't aligned your car properly. Don't waste your time with the garage, cos clearly they can't do it right or they have a rubbish, cheap alignment tool or the mechanic is a tool!

Either way, I recommend you drive the car to Elite in Rainham, Essex. Only 10 minutes from the tunnel mate and they will correctly check and adjust the entire cars suspension for you. It will cost you £50 but you won't regret it. Get yourself a nice bacon roll while your there too in there on site cafe!!:redface:

They must also use Volvo only steering fluid. Normal ATF will knacker your rack seals.

Here's the link: http://www.elitedirect.com/

[Shevek]

Just how much fluid have you had to put in,the garage should have gone lock to lock a number of times the bleed the air out the system.
If you have to top it up to much the rack seals could be leaking into the gaiters ?.
It looks like garage didn't check the tracking at least.

So far, topped up 3 times, less than an inch each time

[Shevek]

Either way, I recommend you drive the car to Elite in Rainham, Essex. Only 10 minutes from the tunnel mate and they will correctly check and adjust the entire cars suspension for you. It will cost you £50 but you won't regret it. Get yourself a nice bacon roll while your there too in there on site cafe!!:redface:

They must also use Volvo only steering fluid. Normal ATF will knacker your rack seals.

Here's the link: http://www.elitedirect.com/

Cheers for that, I may give them a call tomorrow as I need to re-do the MOT as well

[Harvey]

So far, topped up 3 times, less than an inch each time

With any luck all the air should be out by now.

[JamesT5]

Hi all, hope someone can help.

I've just had the steering rack replaced on my '04 C70 after it failed it's MOT.

I have the car back but the steering, especially at low speed, feels like there's no PAS at all. It's quite hard work trying to turn the car.

It almost feels like it's sticking, then there's a knock (felt, not heard) as it frees itself, then it's stiff to turn.

It's also not re-centering very well, if at all.

Is this because a new rack needs bedding in or is something wrong?

The steering wheel also tracks slightly right from straight ahead.

He said he'd done the tracking and alignment as part of the work, but it really doesn't feel like it.

Cheers

Sounds knackered to me.

[LeeT5]

Sounds knackered to me.

You would say that!

[Shevek]

I forgot to check it yesterday morning first thing but checked it when I got to work - the header tank was EMPTY!!

Filled it back up and went out to check it at lunch time - half empty and a big puddle on the floor :(

I phoned the garage and he was horrified.

Very apologetic and thinks he was supplied a duff recon.

He's taken the car back in and given me a loan car for the weekend.

I'm very impressed with his response and glad that he just wants to make good on it.

[Harvey]

I forgot to check it yesterday morning first thing but checked it when I got to work - the header tank was EMPTY!!

Filled it back up and went out to check it at lunch time - half empty and a big puddle on the floor :(

I phoned the garage and he was horrified.

Very apologetic and thinks he was supplied a duff recon.

He's taken the car back in and given me a loan car for the weekend.

I'm very impressed with his response and glad that he just wants to make good on it.

Good that you found out there is a leak , hope they do a better job this time !.

[V70 Graham]

Good that they are making good their mistake, maybe should have checked it was 100% before you picked it up though.

[LeeT5]

Please ensure they use correct Volvo fluid too. Else you'll be replacing the rack again later.

[mikealder]

Another trick I use for bleeding the Power Steering is to use four plastic carrier bags, arrange them in pairs with a small amount of oil between the pairs of plastic bags, place them in front of the cars front wheels then drive on to them, the oil reduces the friction making the bags work like turntables, no scrubbing of the tyres - Mike

[Shevek]

Please ensure they use correct Volvo fluid too. Else you'll be replacing the rack again later.

The stuff he put in 1st time around was green not red so it's the good stuff

[Shevek]

Another trick I use for bleeding the Power Steering is to use four plastic carrier bags, arrange them in pairs with a small amount of oil between the pairs of plastic bags, place them in front of the cars front wheels then drive on to them, the oil reduces the friction making the bags work like turntables, no scrubbing of the tyres - Mike

Good tip!

[LeeT5]

So? Is it sorted now then??

[Shevek]

Gah, no... still going...

Got the car back on Friday afternoon. He'd got MOT done it and it had passed, he'd taken it for a long (8-10 mile) run.

It all seemed fine to me and was driving lovely...

BUT...

Went out in it on Saturday and it started making a groaning noise when steering (I used to get this when fluid was low before the rack was replaced)

It was only a bit of noise so we went out in evening but then it was really bad... Every turn was a massive groan and shuddering on the wheel.

We got home very late, after dark, so left it till Sunday morning to check.

There was a puddle of fluid on the drive where it had sat during the day on Saturday and another where it sat overnight...

I topped it up and it was dripping straight out the bottom...

Phoned him first thing this morning and he came straight round to collect it...

Spoke to him this evening - he has had it up in the air and checked everything... topping up and bleeding and nothing leaks at all.

Take it for a run and it leaks...

He has now ordered ANOTHER rack... the 3rd one :(

I'm still without a car, this is the 3rd week now :((

[LeeT5]

Clearly, if the car is in the air and he can't find a leak, it's because there is no resistance and therefore no pressure on the pump or seals, so it doesn't leak. When the cars on the deck, hay presto...it leaks! I wonder why??

Lets hope the new rack works. Only thing I would say is......where on earth is he buying these racks from? They are obviously crap!
I hope he gives you a looooonnnnnnggggggggg warranty because I wouldn't hold out much hope on the new rack lasting very long.

For YOUR inconvenience, I would insist that he purchases a genuine rack from Volvo and supplies and fits it for No extra cost! That's the least he can do.....Oh yeah, not forgetting to have your driveway cleaned as well! With an OE rack you'll have total piece of mind and that will be the end of it. What a bloody mess!!

[stribo]

As Lee has said these racks can't be up to much if this is the third one he's going to fit.

[Harvey]

Just thinking is the pump ok,very strange 2 racks to have the same fault.

[stribo]

Just thinking is the pump ok,very strange 2 racks to have the same fault.

Would the leak be from the pump though? could be from one of the pipes/hoses feeding the rack. One thing's for sure, if the pump keeps running without fluid it won't be much good for much longer.

[Harvey]

Would the leak be from the pump though? could be from one of the pipes/hoses feeding the rack. One thing's for sure, if the pump keeps running without fluid it won't be much good for much longer.

The pump has a set working pressure with a set flow rate,wonder if the rack suits the pump.

[merc85]

At least he is trying to fix it i suppose, not just fobbing you off like some do, All the Racks being fitted no doubt will be reconditioned items, I think even a Genuine Volvo unit(made by ZF/trw) will be a recon one and carry a surcharge for the old core.

The Replacement ones Will be recon'd (Volvo units trw/zf) so are no different to whats been fitted, the only difference will be WHO reconed the units, i personally feel its abit harsh demanding a VOLVO unit at his cost seeing as you agreed and purchased (no doubt a considerably cheaper unit) from else where. BUT he should be refitting the replacement item FOC and perhaps supplying you with a courtesy car whilst your is being sorted.

There are alot of re manufacturing companies out there and you tend to get what you pay for. It would be interesting to know what Reman rack it is being fitted.

The above is only my Opinion btw as i am interested in this sort of thing (being from the Motor parts trade myself) and ive no connection with any party involved.

Hope you get it sorted asap and to no further cost to yourself. :worried:

[Shevek]

He hasn't charged me anything other than the original replacement, and he did give me a courtesy car last week (during the second replacement) but unfortunately he'd given it to another customer over the weekend...

[Shevek]

He delivered the car back yesterday.

Steering is lovely now (and lively, which I originally typo'd!).

Took it for 2 runs last night - local roads, country lanes and dual carriageway - all feels great.

Checked it this morning and there are no tell-tale puddles under the front end.

Time will tell but I think it's finally sorted

<does a little happy dance>

Thanks to all for your advice. Glad to find such a helpful and friendly club!

[V70 Graham]

Glad it seems sorted, did he offer any explanation or just say it must have been a bad rack ?

[stribo]

Glad it's all sorted for you mate, shame they couldn't get it right first time.

[Shevek]

Yeah, that's exactly what he said - 2 bad racks supplied, third time lucky!

[merc85]

Well done buddy glad you got it sorted and with no extra charge, nice to see garage stand by there word. :-)