Steering rack replace

nskeates · May 31st, 2013, 18:18

Hello,

I have a 2002 v70 d5 and the steering rack is pouring out fluid so needs replacing. My question is : are all the steering racks the same thro the range ?

Thanks
Neil

Brendan W · May 31st, 2013, 18:22

That would be a no as you have probably guessed already. There are at least two suppliers that I am aware of ZF and SMI. The inner tie rod boot might have either name moulded in the rubber as a start point but I would talk to someone who knows with the VIN in hand.

nskeates · Jun 3rd, 2013, 11:15

mechanic looked under car and cannot see any sticker on steering rack or anything that says make of rack.

would the dealership give me this information or could anybody help me on here if i gave VIN number ?

Brendan W · Jun 3rd, 2013, 13:42

Dealer probably will give you a Volvo p/n and might know which manufacturer. Rack recon outfits generally have a better idea. There is a hard to see sticker on mine on the top of the rack on the near side just visible below the turbo inlet hose.

nskeates · Jun 3rd, 2013, 13:50

Thanks, Mechanic just phoned up volvo dealership and they told him a part number but could not tell him what make it was.

I presume once i have the correct part mumber that is all the info i need to locate a secondhand one.

Rover Saloon · Jun 3rd, 2013, 21:35

I may be wrong here but, having just replaced my S80 rack on a 2000 model, I was faced with a similar problem. The 'SMI' label is embossed on the pinion housing so, in effect invisible until removed. That went for the other labels as well. However, I have a sort of idea that the two manufacturers used different thred sizes on the inner tie rods and that's one possible way of telling which one you have? I have tried to find the web site that gave me this info but tono avail. However a bit more searching might come up with something. Sorry I can't be of any more help. By the way, it is qute a challenging task to DIY it - I don't advise it, speaking from experience. It took hours to complete!

Brendan W · Jun 4th, 2013, 08:37

I had trouble with getting the right inner tie rod ends as well. The local factor supplied the wrong ones ( too long and inner thread too coarse) despite double checking his catalogues. I have SMI on the boot rubber. So maybe the shorter, finer thread tie rods are a marker for the SMI rack

May 31st, 2013, 18:18	#1
nskeates Senior Member Last Online: Jan 1st, 2022 13:38 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: watford	Steering rack replace Hello, I have a 2002 v70 d5 and the steering rack is pouring out fluid so needs replacing. My question is : are all the steering racks the same thro the range ? Thanks Neil

May 31st, 2013, 18:22	#2
Brendan W Premier Member Last Online: Jun 10th, 2024 09:51 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Wexford	That would be a no as you have probably guessed already. There are at least two suppliers that I am aware of ZF and SMI. The inner tie rod boot might have either name moulded in the rubber as a start point but I would talk to someone who knows with the VIN in hand.

Jun 3rd, 2013, 11:15	#3
nskeates Senior Member Last Online: Jan 1st, 2022 13:38 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: watford	mechanic looked under car and cannot see any sticker on steering rack or anything that says make of rack. would the dealership give me this information or could anybody help me on here if i gave VIN number ?

Jun 3rd, 2013, 13:42	#4
Brendan W Premier Member Last Online: Jun 10th, 2024 09:51 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Wexford	Dealer probably will give you a Volvo p/n and might know which manufacturer. Rack recon outfits generally have a better idea. There is a hard to see sticker on mine on the top of the rack on the near side just visible below the turbo inlet hose.

Jun 3rd, 2013, 13:50	#5
nskeates Senior Member Last Online: Jan 1st, 2022 13:38 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: watford	Thanks, Mechanic just phoned up volvo dealership and they told him a part number but could not tell him what make it was. I presume once i have the correct part mumber that is all the info i need to locate a secondhand one.

Jun 3rd, 2013, 21:35	#6
Rover Saloon Senior Member Last Online: Jan 16th, 2017 09:02 Join Date: May 2007 Location: Ipswich	I may be wrong here but, having just replaced my S80 rack on a 2000 model, I was faced with a similar problem. The 'SMI' label is embossed on the pinion housing so, in effect invisible until removed. That went for the other labels as well. However, I have a sort of idea that the two manufacturers used different thred sizes on the inner tie rods and that's one possible way of telling which one you have? I have tried to find the web site that gave me this info but tono avail. However a bit more searching might come up with something. Sorry I can't be of any more help. By the way, it is qute a challenging task to DIY it - I don't advise it, speaking from experience. It took hours to complete!

Jun 4th, 2013, 08:37	#7
Brendan W Premier Member Last Online: Jun 10th, 2024 09:51 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Wexford	I had trouble with getting the right inner tie rod ends as well. The local factor supplied the wrong ones ( too long and inner thread too coarse) despite double checking his catalogues. I have SMI on the boot rubber. So maybe the shorter, finer thread tie rods are a marker for the SMI rack

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