Volvo 240 1989 *steering problems

Cassman500 · Post by **Cassman500** » 14 Oct 2009, 20:14

My Vovlo had previously on a several occasions made a squealing sound when the wheel was turned completely to either side. Just today something new happened, now turning to either side, especially the left it feels like I've lost some of the power steering and it makes a moaning sort of sound when i take curves. I'm wondering what needs to be fixed and how to diagnosis it. I have a feeling it could be the tie rods. any help would be much appreciated, Thanks alot Andrew

Post by **billofdurham** » 15 Oct 2009, 12:15

I would start by checking the fluid in the power steering and also the tension on the drive belt for the power steering pump.

The tie rods shouldn't make a squealing noise on cornering nor should they give the feeling of loss of power steering.

To check the ball joints jack up the car, leaving the wheel on. Insert a pry bar between the tyre and the floor and move the pry bar up and down. Any wear can be seen.

Bill.

Cassman500 · Post by **Cassman500** » 16 Oct 2009, 08:54

yeah i just checked the power steering and the reservoir and it is empty. some hose or something else broke down below. i can now see a spot where the fluid came out. i'm going to jack the car up and take a look

Cassman500 · Post by **Cassman500** » 17 Oct 2009, 11:37

Okay so i got under the belly of the beast today and there defiantly was a failure of some part in the power steering system. it wasn't the pump though. down below where it connects to the control arm it looks like there was a leak and the fluid was sprayed all over the drivers side tie rod and wheel area. I'm not positive where it came from but if someone has a diagram of the power steering system so i could figure out the components i'm looking at that would help me a lot. Thanks so much.
-Cassidy

Post by **billofdurham** » 17 Oct 2009, 12:11

The only picture I can find is from VADIS so I hope it helps.

240 Power steering.pdf: (4.96 MiB) Downloaded 871 times

Bill.

Cassman500 · Post by **Cassman500** » 29 Oct 2009, 21:24

so i replaced the leaking pipe on my steering rack and refilled the reservoir. i turned the wheel stop to stop several times with the cap off so that the air would bleed out. but everytime i get near the stops it squeels really loud. what could cause this? is all the air not out? and if not what can do? thanks a lot in advance. Andrew

Post by **billofdurham** » 30 Oct 2009, 12:51

It is possible. A technical service bulletin (TSB) was issued in 1989 addressing the problems of bleeding the power steering.

240 power steering bleeding3.pdf: (162.49 KiB) Downloaded 468 times

One other thing comes to mind - is it the steering that is squealing or is it the belt?

Bill.

Cassman500 · Post by **Cassman500** » 30 Oct 2009, 13:52

I was under the vechile while someone turned the wheel it sounded like it was coming from the rack. what belt would it be?

Post by **billofdurham** » 30 Oct 2009, 16:23

The belt that powers the steering pump.

Bill.