940 power steering query

[Paddy Wagon]

Hi folks, finally got my wagon, a '95 940 SE estate 2.4 TDIC auto. 108k, 1 owner, full service history and absolutely like new. The steering, while marginally lighter than my 740, is still somewhat heavy (like all 700/900 models I've driven). Is there any adjustments I can do to the pump and/or rack to make the steering lighter, I'd like to get it to the same level of lightness as US/Japanese power steering, thanks.

[gpl1968]

You could try flushing the system with fresh p/s fluid.
Depending on how old the existing fluid is, you might improve things a bit.

[Galaxie390]

Hi there Paddy Wagon,

Great see another D24 auto in Ireland!!

I think there was a post a while back about stretching the internal pressure relief spring about 5mm.

Have a search.


Cheers,

Rich

[OldBlueVolvo]

Try lubricating the two universal joints on the steering column (next to the exhaust manifold).

[Paddy Wagon]

Thanks guys, Hi gpl, its not a fluid problem or mechanical problem, the steering is right for a Volvo, there like Fords, there just not as light as say a Toyota or a Nissan. whilst looking for this particular model I probably test drove 30 odd 940's and the steering is the same on all of them, their just a bit on the heavy side and I would like to make it lighter.

Hi Rich, thats the sort of thing I'm looking for, a method of increasing the amount of power assistance to the steering. I know it can be done, its just a matter of finding out what needs doing, cheers,
Aidan.

[Dr. Rog]

kind of heavy!

You should try German cars. Or any of the dozen front-wheel drive hire cars I have had in the last seven years or so.

You have been spoilt with those nice Japanese cars.

[Paddy Wagon]

Originally Posted by Dr. Rog

kind of heavy!

You should try German cars. Or any of the dozen front-wheel drive hire cars I have had in the last seven years or so.

You have been spoilt with those nice Japanese cars.

Yeah, I've driven a few over the years and know what you mean, the trouble is I've been spoilt by driving Yanks for decades before I moved over here. You kinda miss being able to throw a two and a half ton Battlecruiser around with just one finger. In fairness though, thats the only thing I can fault a Volvo on, (and its not even a fault, just personal preference) that and getting used to the throttle responce of a turbo diesel, this is the first diesel car I've owned and I think its fair to say its somewhat different to the throttle responce of a petrol engine, mind you, its not slow, VERY not slow,,,

[Galaxie390]

Hi there Aidan,

Sounds like you got a peach of a car, a little different from the 'shed' I've made my life's work to keep going...lol

I know what you mean about the yank steering. My Kingswood wagon is a light as anything, zero 'feel', but light all the same.

I find my D24 can be slow off the lights, but has great mid-range for powering past people on hills and leaving them in a cloud of smoke!

Cheers,
Rich

[Paddy Wagon]

Hi Rich, yep, this one is rather nice, if it ever stops raining I'll take a couple of photo's of it and stick them on here. When I first drove it, it was very sluggish, it has been lying unused since March, but now that I've had a chance to give it a real good blasting on the By Pass, it fairly flys, the whole thing must have been choked to hell, the ammount of muck that came out of the exhaust was unreal, but now its practically smokeless when you boot it. Mind you, I still get a little fright each time I start it up, that injector noise is something else, perhaps I should drop a small block 350 V8 into it,,,,

[Galaxie390]

Hi Paddywagon,

I wouldn't worry about the smoke on start up, they all seem to give a little puff as it were.

My previous engines were proper smokers, esp when idling they would create a proper smoke screen.....just the thing for those 'quick' get aways..lol

If you do put the small block in, make sure you throw the D24 in my direction. I'm engine no 3, no 4 would be a nice round number...ha!

Cheers,

Rich