S60 T5 Steering Arms and Track rod ends?

[paddys09]

Car in question is a 2001 S60 t5.

Just noticed a massive issue on the car, it's toe-in on both sides quite badly, +/-3 deg each side. The real issue is that the ends are adjusted as far as they will go, I think what has happened is that the previous owner has installed the wrong type.

A quick call to Volvo and apparently there are 4 different types, I think it can be narrowed down to 2 within my age range. Going to cost £300 all in just for parts. Slightly strapped for cash at the moment so called a motor factors which were much more competitively priced at around £60 all in, but did agree that there were different sizes within the range and that they had no idea which ones were right unless I brought the old ones in. I think you can see the problem here... I don't have the correct size in my car so that won't really be very helpful.

Probably should just bite the bullet and get the OEM parts next week for some peace of mind, but does anybody have any info on this?

[M-R-P]

Have a word with Janie at partsforvolvosonline.com, He'll be able to confirm but I think these are what you're after.

The chances are, it's one or the other you'll need, rather than changing the lot.

track rod ends

track rods

[M-R-P]

Welcome to the forum by the way. Member for 4 years and this is your first post. Must be some kind of record

[merc85]

Ive got listed 2 different Rack ends, surly you just want the longer of the 2?

That being the case get the factor to get both in and measure them, Then buy the longer of the 2

SMI steering rack
ZF steering rack

Above is the reason for the choice btw

[claymore]

Ive got listed 2 different Rack ends, surly you just want the longer of the 2?

That being the case get the factor to get both in and measure them, Then buy the longer of the 2

Don't you mean the shorter of the two, if theyr adjusted as far in as they'll go and it's still towing in.

[Ettienne]

It might be worth mentioning Merc brought some hand cleaner in a large tub with dispenser at a good price.

If he's coming Saturday maybe other are in need maybe he could offer again? I still have half left it was such a good buy.

Not usually large get togethers of this size

[Ettienne]

It sprang to mind whilst reading the thread.

[merc85]

Don't you mean the shorter of the two, if theyr adjusted as far in as they'll go and it's still towing in.

Sorry claymore yes thats exactly what i meant, Cheers bud

[paddys09]

Ive got listed 2 different Rack ends, surly you just want the longer of the 2?

That being the case get the factor to get both in and measure them, Then buy the longer of the 2

SMI steering rack
ZF steering rack

Above is the reason for the choice btw

Thanks, great info.

I suppose if there are only two options it should be fairly easy to deduce the correct type. Is there a quick way of telling what steering rack I have visually or by part number?

Not to worry if you don't have that info on hand, should be able to work it out if I bring them down. Just wondering if maybe someone replaced a steering rack on the car previously which might throw me off if I do go down the OEM route.

@M-R-P Sorry not sure how to multiquote on here, but lol yeah it is strange, I was almost certain I had posted here before. I always get a birthday message from the forum, I must have lurked in the past. Thanks for the welcome

As for replacing everything, I am just not happy with the setup, it's all a bit iffy and the current ones are pretty seized. If I grab them from the 3rd party and the tolerances aren't quite as good as OEM then at least I know everything should match up better as well, I could do it about 6 times over for the price of OEM anyway lol. As long as I can get a good alignment I'll be happy, the car is getting on a bit, maybe not worth spending a fortune on it.

[merc85]

The Rack usually has the Maker's Logo/mark on it either on the Pinion or the body of the Unit

[merc85]

Seeing as we are talking my price on these would be

Rackend each £17.50 (zf)
Rackend each £11.50 (smi)

Tie rod end LH £11.75
Tie rod end RH £11.75

Price inc vat, could bring to the RR day or post (this would be extra)

Ive got 3 Hand cleaner's atm Steve, @ £14.00 each

[paddys09]

The Rack usually has the Maker's Logo/mark on it either on the Pinion or the body of the Unit

Thanks, probably just being lazy. Will have to get under the car today and have a look before I make a move. Just want to get it right, only have access to a ramp and alignment machine at certain times lol, so it will pay to get it right.

Thanks everyone for the quick replies and great info, I'll probably get around to acquiring and fitting the parts next week when I have some more free time. I'll post my findings here when it's done in case some other poor fool is going through the same thing.

Cheers.

[M-R-P]

As for replacing everything, I am just not happy with the setup, it's all a bit iffy and the current ones are pretty seized. If I grab them from the 3rd party and the tolerances aren't quite as good as OEM then at least I know everything should match up better as well, I could do it about 6 times over for the price of OEM anyway lol. As long as I can get a good alignment I'll be happy, the car is getting on a bit, maybe not worth spending a fortune on it.

There's the question you have to ask yourself, before (like many of us here) you end up on a slippery slope, going all out in an effort to bring an old car up to modern standards. I've spent 4 years and thousands of pounds tarting up an old plod wagon with (now) 213500 miles on it, so I can speak from experience. When you get one of these cars up to scratch, they are awesome but the cost and effort soon adds up.

Just on a side note, and going back on topic, have you checked the wishbone bushes? if they collapse (which they do) they'll pull the wheels in a bit.

[V70 Graham]

Have a word with Janie at partsforvolvosonline.com, He'll be able to confirm but I think these are what you're after.

[M-R-P]

Sod off you, it's been a hard week

[paddys09]

There's the question you have to ask yourself, before (like many of us here) you end up on a slippery slope, going all out in an effort to bring an old car up to modern standards. I've spent 4 years and thousands of pounds tarting up an old plod wagon with (now) 213500 miles on it, so I can speak from experience. When you get one of these cars up to scratch, they are awesome but the cost and effort soon adds up.

Just on a side note, and going back on topic, have you checked the wishbone bushes? if they collapse (which they do) they'll pull the wheels in a bit.

Thanks, yeah I initially thought it might have been the wishbone bushes, a bit of a testament to Volvo build quality they are actually all pretty good, not bad considering it must have been like this for quite some time.

It's definitely more than that though as the passenger side has no room for adjustment wheres the drivers side does has plenty of threads left, it's all seized up though and could do with replacing anyway. I'm pretty sure its the passenger side rod that's too long. Going to replace the lot with 3rd party parts, doesn't work out too expensive. Don't worry not going to go overboard on the car, just want to end it's suffering a bit and see where it goes. There was all sorts of little issues with it by the previous owner, but it's been getting well looked after by me now. I've no problem fixing the small things, if something big goes I'll cut my losses.

@Merc85 Cheers, as above, I've worked out the culprit. I'm a bit further afield in NI so going to the meet is a bit out of the question, this time anyway. Probably better off getting them at the local in case there are any more issues, probably not worth the hassle for you either otherwise I would as you have been very helpful on the matter. Will keep you in mind if something a little more straight forward comes up.

Thanks

[merc85]

No problem paddys09, hope you get it sorted, its good forum here buddy lots of peeps will try n help where they can

[paddys09]

Just an update, I hate it when you are searching the net and a thread goes cold before you figure out the solution.

Got the correct rods and ends installed and the car is now aligned perfectly, the P/S inner was definitely the culprit.

'Thanks everyone' - My Tyres, 2014

And a big thank you from myself.

[M-R-P]

Happy days