Steering: Anyone any ides please :-)

[CaerYnArfon]

Hi all been a while since I posted anything. She's running well, I make sure oil and filters every 12 months etc. and fix any problem as they arise if I can.

I currently have a worrying clunk coming from the steering. I can't hear anything just feel it through the wheel, or at least it feels like the steering. I've looked underneath and track rods, ball joints, The other rods that I can't remember the name of long with a ball and socket rubber joint on the end lol. They're all good.

The clunk happens in motion, any speed and when returning the wheel back to 0 degrees there's a loose feeling clunk felt through the wheel. Nothing when turning full lock either way. Just TDC or at least when coming back to TDC. In fact if I gently roll the steering wheel slightly while in motion I can feel the clunk it happens going left or right when returning to centre

I was underneath today changing the lower rear mounting... still getting a bit of a clunk there too then again I did pay £18 for the mounting from EBay so not a genuine volvo part lol! YES I KNOW...

Couldn't see anything obvious, I pushed and pulled at the steering joints etc. I suppose I should lift it off the ground really...

Anyway, I've never looked at steering on any car I've had so was wondering if anyone would care to share if they have a clue as to what might be wrong.

Thanks All.

[john.wigley]

I am not familiar with your model, 'CaerYnArfon'; but does it have a universal joint in the steering column as part of the collapsing mechanism in the event of a head-on accident?

I have had similar symptoms on earlier cars so fitted when the joint becomes worn or dries out. It was a relatively cheap and simple replacement on a 1-series car and I believe the design was carried over to later models, but whether as late as your's I can't be sure. Maybe worth a look?

Regards, John.

[CaerYnArfon]

Well, now there's one to remember and worry about just a little bit...

Fixed it...

It was the central nut M14 18mm holding the steering wheel onto the column!!


Getting the airbag off proved the difficult bit, no screws just an unusual clip/spring mechanism VIDA said to disconnect the battery Neg lead first, Key to ign pos II, Turn wheel 90° insert a screwdriver into the hole at the back and lever it down or was it up? anyway feel around and you can feel a bar inside going across left to right. Screwdriver above it then lever it downwards (the bar not the screwdriver, if you see what I mean) that first one clicked slightly so I turned the wheel 180° then doing the second one the air bag and centre of steering wheel sprung away with a definite movement...

Undid the nut added some medium strength loctite and torqued to VIDA spec 30nm + 30° works a treat.


Thanks for helping all as usual

[Phil Croxley]

I've never heard of that happening before! I think you found that problem just in time!