Steering Rack Failed? - Video

[JTSD5]

Hi

Recently bought a 2005 V70 d5, noticed it felt a little harsh over small bumps, steering very 'chattery'. Then noticed it was pulsing, as in fighting against you mid corner, which I've read is a common symptom of dreaded rack failure? It will do this stationary aswell, turn the wheel either way 90 degrees and it will fight back.

So, just jacked it up and gave the wheel a shake and can hear a liquidy noise, I presume that's the knackered seals? And the obvious clanging aswell.. Fluid is brown.

https://youtu.be/VBwXsZ5va_k

Basically just want someone to tell me it's definitely the rack ? And if there is anything I can do to cure it apart from replacing the whole lot?

If so, where is a reputable place for replacement rack? I've heard these exchange units on ebay can be more hassle than they are worth?

Cheers, Jack.

[Brianhill]

I had a problem with the rack on my 2006 v70 t5 last year, unfortunately the Volvo independent I use has had a lot of trouble with so called “ refurbished “ racks and would only fit genuine Volvo. This resulted in a rather large bill of around £1400 as I recall.

[XC90Mk1]

Originally Posted by Brianhill

I had a problem with the rack on my 2006 v70 t5 last year, unfortunately the Volvo independent I use has had a lot of trouble with so called “ refurbished “ racks and would only fit genuine Volvo. This resulted in a rather large bill of around £1400 as I recall.

I too have heard of bad results with refurb and places only offering genuine.

Your only real option is to use a pippet to suck out old fluid and replace with fresh. If the current fluid is brown it’s clearly degraded beyond its usefulness.

Then once you are running good clean fluid you could try stop leak. It’s a seal nourisher that is supposed to offer good properties for the seals. That said I don’t know how much luck you would have. Although it’s a less than £40.00 repair and you certainly have a chance

[stuart bowes]

I just flushed mine through by disconnecting the return hose, hanging that over a bowl, and getting my dad to turn over the engine while I poured in the new fluid. Took about 5 seconds until clean stuff came out. Stop engine, reconnect pipe and top up

Fluid should be green stuff I was told. Brown sounds like someone's topped it up with the red stuff at some point

Plus additive as above definitely worth a try

[dingov70]

Morning , first things first . Check or better still replace auxilliary belt , these can slips without making a squealing noise and that will result in pulsing power steering . They are also a major cause of dead D5 engines , off they come & round the cam belt they go , Bang clatter clatter

Secondly , the squishy sounds when you turn the wheels side to side is you forcing the fluid around the rack , normally you would not notice due to engine running , hear it every day while MOT testing , some more than others

Thirdly , just change the fluid , brown is wrong , way wrong . simply remove the upper pipe from the fluid bottle , stick in an empty can & run engine til no more fluid appears . Put pipe back on , refill and run for a few minutes WITHOUT turning steering , once it has gone quiet , remove pipe again & flush fluid out . Replace pipe , refill again , allow to circulate til quiet and then turn slowly from lock to lock . Check fluid level & add more if required , OH ! and new fluid should be very thin & green in colour NOT RED

Good luck

[JTSD5]

Thanks for all the replies, a little more positive than I expected which is nice.. I was ready to drive the bloody thing off a bridge yesterday!

Will check aux belt for sure and see if I can get one today. Regarding the fluid am I right thinking its the CHF11s? If so will this do the job? -

https://www.halfords.com/motoring/engine-oils-and-fluids/gearbox-oil/comma-mvchf-1l-124416.html?istCompanyId=b8708c57-7a02-4cf6-b2c0-dc36b54a327e&istFeedId=367c5610-f937-4c81-8609-f84582324cd6&istItemId=rtartppl&istBid=t&_$ja=tsid :|cid:14297415498|agid:124576971583|tidla-370829372605|crid:539302034289|nw:u|rnd:8049779070 613862524|dvc:m|adp:|mt:|loc:9045240&gclid=Cj0KCQj wg_iTBhDrARIsAD3Ib5iKyNgj9E1N0-eAQCEav6gxx_dtmQwyRoUyY1qqAKo_kOZkYwmUaiUaAhrXEALw _wcB

And how much will I need for a full flush? Should I then go for something with conditioner in it, Wynns etc? Or just put the correct fluid in and see how it is?

Cheers

[John97Tdi]

CHF11s / CHF202 are the numbers you are looking for for 'green' fluid - as to quantity I think the capacity of the system is less than a litre so a couple of litres would be more than enough to flush and fill with spare to top up.

When I got my XC I thought its steering rack was on the way out - pulsing on corners - so I changed the fluid but it turned out the culprit was tired( but still MOT passing) control arm bushes - so after you've changed the fluid, if you still have issues, dont assume it must be the rack.

[JTSD5]

Just been to pick up some fresh fluid, got back and went to start changing and thought I'd check the belt first.. After taking the cover off I realised there was alot of grime/oil on the belt & cover, looks to be leaking from the pump itself?

My question now, is it a new pump & belt needed? And I presume there is not much point putting the fresh fluid through at this point if the pump needs changing?

Sorry for the terrible pics, had to resize them to upload on here.

[John97Tdi]

That looks like its had a very small leak for some time. I'd be tempted to get a new belt,clean everything up and put new fluid in with some leak seal - but keep a close eye on it and be prepared to change the pump. I wasn't a great fan of leak seals until on my last car ( at about 145K)I noticed a slight leak from the rack - put some lucas stop leak in, and the rack lasted another 100K before I had to change it.

[Mwaite1985]

Cleaning out the reservoir bottle is important, more so when you are getting no circulation in the reservoir.

There is a filter in there.

I’ll know if its made a difference today.