Steering moaning and clunking - fluid leaking

ronanfeely · Post by **ronanfeely** » 06 Dec 2009, 11:18

Hi All,

So, every time my wife takes the car out something happens. Yet her Miata has never so much as needed as a new bulb.

This time, she was trying to get out of a very tight car parking spot (lots of locking the steering) and when she started to drive on the highway there was (and still is) a moaning/clunking noise and a (slight) wobble.

The last couple of days (we just got a really cold snap) I noticed there has been fluid of some kind leaking under the car and I just looked in the PS fluid reservoir and it's almost empty.

In addition, the Volvo dealership recently (1 month ago) said that I needed to replace both front lower ball joints but as I had just started work again after a 6 month stint out of work that was something I had put on the long finger until I got paid.

So, my question is, can I just top off the PS fluid and go about my business (at least get it to a Volvo repair shop to get the leak investigated) or am I best to get it towed to the shop for repairs? Will seriously low fluid mean I have already burned out the Power Steering Pump? Or could all these symptoms mean that one or both of the front lower ball joints have gone?

Finally, what kind of PS Fluid do I need and I can I get it at AutoZone, AutoParts, etc?

And can I just top off or do I need to flush the system? I don't have a jack to get the car up to rotate the steering easily, etc.

Thanks for your help guys,

Ronan

850 Turbo1 · Post by **850 Turbo1** » 06 Dec 2009, 12:38

Power Steering fluid as per the Volvo manual is listed as "atf"...stands for Automatic Transmission Fluid. I have a leak in my steering rack and don' just want to replace it because it's really expensive...200 for a rebuilt rack off of FCP or Ebay...and I don't know how labor intensive it may be...

I recently filled my power steering with ATF...I was getting some gridning before that but in the end no more noises...except maybe from a cheap control arm I had put in .....DAMN IT!!!!!!!!!!

I'd stay away from the Volvo Dealers aka Volvo stealers...I'd find a really good independent shop that would give you a free estimate(tons of them out there)

Any place would carry regular ATF including Walmart...but make sure it is just regular ATF..and not some fancy stuff..because that may hurt the pump and rack!

I'd say fill it ASAP..before you damage something beyond repair..1 Liter will be more than enough!!!!!

Please Report back and best of luck!!!

ronanfeely · Post by **ronanfeely** » 06 Dec 2009, 13:27

Glad you replied 850 Turbo1. I was about to dump a liter of Gumout Power Steering Fluid into the thing. I'll go get some ATF and try that.

I'll post back the results.

R.

volvomileage · Post by **volvomileage** » 06 Dec 2009, 14:36

the power steering fluid for these cars is atf a dexron iii should do the trick, if i recall the total capacity is of about 0.9 liters

you can try with a valvoline maxlife dexron transmission fluid if i recall correctly a memeber had used this to slow the leak, in your case double check your hoses and carefully look close to your steering rack for leaks
used ps pumps go cheap on ebay...

to check your tie rod ends once the wheels are off the ground grasp the wheel at the 9 15 position and wiggle back and forth there should be minimal play..

for the ball joints grasp the wheel at the 6 oclock position and rock the wheel aka as push and pull if theres no play your ball joints should be allright

cheers !

ronanfeely · Post by **ronanfeely** » 06 Dec 2009, 18:28

Half a liter of ATF and it's running like a dream. All symptoms gone. I'll trace the leak back after this cold snap is over (So cold here in Oregon today) as I'm too thin blooded to work outside in these temperatures.

If it's a new reservoir then I'll replace it myself. I just started working as a technical writer for HP so I'll be writing guides for all my repairs for the folks here.

Thanks for the help.

Ronan

xb corp · Post by **xb corp** » 06 Dec 2009, 19:37

actually i have written a full write up on power steering rack servicing and posted at Bay 13.
http://volvospeed.com/Repair/power_steering.pdf

ronanfeely · Post by **ronanfeely** » 06 Dec 2009, 21:34

Excellent work!!!

TBean · Post by **TBean** » 23 Dec 2009, 22:56

Nice write up "XB CORP" your 100% correct... the job is a real pain in the ass...Just removd the rack from my parents 2000 Left hand drive S70..but removed the rack from the LEFT side..( just in case someone wants to know)..It was leaking from both ends of the rack...They sure didn't build em like the 160's or 240's,they were simple to work on. I don't have any books for the newer units, my volvo books (new when i bought them in the late 70's )..are now considered antiques.....any shade tree tech can do the job. Depending on the person it could take 2 days. Used two 2 ton floor jacks, one for the trans and one for the sub frame. VOLVO should have ran the power steering lines on the fire wall. It would have been simpler to work on and cheaper. But people behind desks very seldom work on things..they just wonder why it takes so long and we charge for that time. I still prefer a b18 or 20 or my 164..

TBean

digimonatx · Post by **digimonatx** » 31 Dec 2009, 04:05

Hi,
I have a badly leaking steering rack on my daughter's 850. I would like to try rebuilding it myself, per the instructions the XB Corp posted. I'm in the US, and have a LH driver car, but I'm guessing that the same instructions will still apply. A couple of questions:
1) My daughter has been topping the power steering pump off with power steering fluid instead of ATF ... what kind of problems might I except as a result?
2) I've decided to try to rebuild my power steering rack-and-pinion unit myself. Between XB Corp's write-up and the info in VAIDIS, I think I can handle it. Where can I find a seal kit for the steering unit? I've heard that they can be had for $40-$50 U.S.
Thank,
john s.

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 31 Dec 2009, 14:32

Before you go to all of the effort of rebuilding the rack try to suck out the power steering fluid and replace it with Valvoline Max Life Transmission Stop Leak. It will take several iterations of sucking out the old stuff, running the steering from lock to lock and then doing it all over again.

My Platinum had a leaky rack and just for the heck of it, since it was cheap and easy, I tried that method and I haven't had to add a drop of fluid since. It has been well over 30,000 miles.

It may or may not work but it is worth a shot.

...Lee