Baffled by steering (Thread 2 - NEW!!)

[Flash B]

Hi all,
Please don't read the full 'original' thread by me called BAFFLED BY STEERING as it all went a bit mad (11 pages I think).
I own a 2003 V70 2.4 SE (only 170 bhp) and have had vague steering issues since buying the car at the end of the summer last year.
Lots of help from all on here (bar one) and loads of suggestions.
The car was very boaty in handling when cornering and didn't feel safe at all at speeds on windy 'B' roads the steering would suddenly go light etc etc...(in fact you may as well refer to the first few pages of the last thread)

I've found the cause(s) and now need to resolve them:

The steering rack has been causing the intermitent problem, which has now got worse and the car makes a bizzare noise when turning left and after running for about 10 mins. The rack has been slowly drinking fluids and draining the reservoir.
Also, slight play in the wishbone bushes which need replacing. These problems have caused the front tyres to wear a bit quicker than normal...

Oh the joys of ownership!!!!

Anyway, I need to find a V70 new or recon steering rack ASAFP or the local garage will have to take mine off, send it away for over a week and then re-fit it once reconditioned. I can't really be without the car for this long and would like a rack to have fitted as soon as mine is off..anyone to assist???

Also I would rather fit the powerflex bushes instead of renewing stock ones...anyone got any prices for the wishbones. I know I can get recon wishbones (V70Torslander) but just want new bushes for the moment. Whats the rough price and where's the best place to get them??

I need answers soonest people...hope you can help.

[thebadger]

Bushes for the front of the bones are aproxx £40, as to the rack, I think there are a few specialist breakers who offer only steering racks. But try Nads or readview for a rack, as they break P2's all the time. The alternative is Ebay for a spare new one.

[thebadger]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Powerflex-PFF8...item1e5ba4587a

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/GENUINE-VOLVO-...item25596bf34d

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/STEERING-RACK-...item414ec046a1

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2005-VOLVO-S60...item3cab7a2f15

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/power-steering...item27b14fd882

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VOLVO-V70-STEE...item3ca9fda6b8

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VOLVO-V70-T5-S...item3caa04123c

[Flash B]

Bushes for the front of the bones are aproxx £40, as to the rack, I think there are a few specialist breakers who offer only steering racks. But try Nads or readview for a rack, as they break P2's all the time. The alternative is Ebay for a spare new one.

Cheers Badger...I'm a bit dull and the car is locked away at the garage. How many bushes do I need?

[thebadger]

Well the Wishbone itself has two (each side) the ones in the link are the forward set (powerflex) which can be a tricky job. The rear ones on the "bones" can be replaced too (and really should at the same time if you take all the advice on here) which you would need to buy seperatly (PFV do them IIRC).

Also consider the Ball Joints at the same time when you do the bushes, this is really the third point on the triangle that are the wishbones and should be replaced at the same time.

HTH

[v70torslanda]

PM me your reg and location and I will find you an exchange rack. I can't believe that 10 years on from introduction you have to have the rack reconditioned and the car off the road for a week while it happens.

[Flash B]

PM me your reg and location and I will find you an exchange rack. I can't believe that 10 years on from introduction you have to have the rack reconditioned and the car off the road for a week while it happens.

PM'd

[The White Knight]

PM'd

Hey Flash,

I have this exact same problem on my s60 d5 - i've had the wishbones powerflex'd, new shocks and springs.......and it's still at it. I think the steering rack is at fault.

Let us know if it sorts the problem!

[t5_monkey]

Hey Flash,

I have this exact same problem on my s60 d5 - i've had the wishbones powerflex'd, new shocks and springs.......and it's still at it. I think the steering rack is at fault.

Let us know if it sorts the problem!

How much of a difference did Power-flexing the wishbones make to your handling? thinking of getting that done at some point...

[dave stew]

Its a massive improvement. Mine were shot (approx 110k miles) but the big difference is in the reduction of torque steer.

[The White Knight]

How much of a difference did Power-flexing the wishbones make to your handling? thinking of getting that done at some point...

In all honesty, i didn't notice that much of an improvement, which was a hard pill to swallow given how much it cost to get them done. I have a mate with a p2 v70r who reckons having they made a difference in his car - all be it a slight improvement.

In my opinion they don't make a night and day difference for normal/fast road driving, but at least they'll last longer than standard bushes....(hopefully!!)

[Flash B]

Hey Flash,

I have this exact same problem on my s60 d5 - i've had the wishbones powerflex'd, new shocks and springs.......and it's still at it. I think the steering rack is at fault.

Let us know if it sorts the problem!

Car is in the garage at the moment...A real pain. My P2 has a ZF steering rack and there are very few available at the moment, so one option was to take mine off, send it away and wait for its return, HOWEVER, once off, the shaft was too corroded to be refurbed. I managed to get another one and it should be here and fitted by the end of tomorrow (plus powerflex bushes for the wishbones).
I phoned the main 'Stealer' to compare my local garage prices to theirs: They wanted £529 + VAT for the rack plus 4 - 5 hours labour +VAT (@94.00 per hour!!!). I did laugh down the phone as I told him to 'Rack off'.

I can't wait to get the car back as my legs are knackered from riding my bike.

I'm sure the rack has been the problem I've noticed from the start. It's the one thing I never really thought of (because of the cost).

[The White Knight]

Car is in the garage at the moment...A real pain. My P2 has a ZF steering rack and there are very few available at the moment, so one option was to take mine off, send it away and wait for its return, HOWEVER, once off, the shaft was too corroded to be refurbed. I managed to get another one and it should be here and fitted by the end of tomorrow (plus powerflex bushes for the wishbones).
I phoned the main 'Stealer' to compare my local garage prices to theirs: They wanted £529 + VAT for the rack plus 4 - 5 hours labour +VAT (@94.00 per hour!!!). I did laugh down the phone as I told him to 'Rack off'.

I can't wait to get the car back as my legs are knackered from riding my bike.

I'm sure the rack has been the problem I've noticed from the start. It's the one thing I never really thought of (because of the cost).

Is there any way of finding out which kind of rack you have without first removing it?

Did your steering play up at low speeds, i sometimes feel a judder at low speeds mainly on/off my drive - wonder if it's related...

[Flash B]

Is there any way of finding out which kind of rack you have without first removing it?

Did your steering play up at low speeds, i sometimes feel a judder at low speeds mainly on/off my drive - wonder if it's related...

To find out which rack you have you can phone the dealer and provide your chassis number or...the easy way is to turn the steering wheel from 'lock to lock'. If you do this 2.75 turns is a ZF rack and 3.25 is an SMI. There are other types of rack out there but this is what I was told to do by ACS steering...and they were right.
My steering was playing up at low speed as well as higher speeds. Check your power steering fluid reservoir...if you top it right up the problem will stop for a bit and the judder will go. The problem is that the shaft often corrodes and the seals perish causing fluid leaks and dodgy steering. Mine ended up making some odd whining and groaning noises which is when the leak was found.
Hope this helps.
Ash

[thebadger]

^
Agreed, The "Juddering" can usually be caused by a lack of PS fluid or worn track rods.

That was the first big bill I had to pay out on my v70, fortunatley my spanners has loads of experience with Volvos & knew to have a look, so it was just a good clean & new ends & seals.

[Flash B]

Well Ive got the car back...well it looks like the one I put in, but drives like someone elses. It feels fantastic...new powerflex bushes on the front and a new steering rack. The steering and handling problem is solved at last!! Just need two new front tyres.

I'll probably start a new thread or search for ages...what's the best tyre to go for 'all round' use?? 225/45/17? currently got Avon ZZ3's and they seem sloppy in the wet. Any ideas?

[dicky b t5]

FB, try Toyo Proxes 4s. I had two sets on my P1 V70R and they are fantastic.

I will be getting them again and again and again !! lol

I always get mine from Camskill.

Dicky.

[Flash B]

FB, try Toyo Proxes 4s. I had two sets on my P1 V70R and they are fantastic.

I will be getting them again and again and again !! lol

I always get mine from Camskill.

Dicky.

Cheers Dicky.
Will look some up. Do they handle well and last??

[dicky b t5]

Cheers Dicky.
Will look some up. Do they handle well and last??

Hi FB, they handle very well in the wet n dry.
I think my last set lasted about 30-35k. I buy a set of 4 and swap them front to back, back to front every 5k, so they all wear at about the same rate.

I think my last set of 4 cost about £260ish Bargain. I can honestly say they are the best tyres i've used on my V70R.

Try them.

Dicky.

[Turkish]

My Rack is on it's way out, 52000 miles and it needs a new rack! It is suffering from unequal pressure, it seems it is a common fault!

So it is going in next Monday for the work to be done.