98 V70 Power steering creak when hot.

ALSV70 · Post by **ALSV70** » 27 Apr 2010, 07:15

Hi guys, i have an irritating issue, when my car is hot, after abour an hours solid driving with plenty of stops and starts, i get a creaking noise when i turn the steering wheel whether stationary or moving. The creaking is also there when driving in a straight line and going over bumps which is strange as it does appear to be coming from the rack. To describe the creak, if you have ever turned the steering wheel from left lock to right on a car with a broken coil spring the metallic creaking noise of the spring moving around on it's seat whilst under tension is what it sounds just like. I have checked all obvious suspension and steering parts for wear. It may be worth mentioning when i got the car the power steering fluid was foamy and pink like strawberry milkshake. I have since replaced it and added forte power steering fluid treatment. Any thoughts or advice would be welcomed. Thanks - Al.

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 27 Apr 2010, 22:55

Based on your description, the cruddy looking fluid notwithstanding, I would suspect the U-Joint or bearing at the base of the steering column where it goes through the firewall.

...Lee

mv2r76 · Post by **mv2r76** » 03 May 2010, 21:10

I have a very similar sounding problem in my 1999 V70, 125k miles. I would describe my sound as a squeaky couch spring that makes noise every time you shift your weight on it, or an old rusty screen door creak. It makes sound most everytime I turn the steering wheel, either stopped or moving. It also makes sound if I go straight over bumps. There is a similar thread and someone had posted a description of replacing the steering column bearing. www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=29072 I *also* have this problem, but only in the winter. The sounds are very different from each other.

The creaking that I get right now sounds and feels like the front-left spring is catching and slipping as the strut rotates, and creates a popping/creaking sound everytime it slips. I have put my hand on the coil spring while rotating the steering wheel and can feel the creaking resonating through the spring. I haven't been able to isolate the source of the friction, though. I've thought about putting it up on jacks and compressing the springs so I could get some white lithium grease in there. Anyone think this might help?

I will check the steering column bearing tomorrow in the light just to make sure it's not that, but I'm 99% sure it's something different. Also, a while back I found a thread about subframe bushings causing an annoying creaking sound, though again I feel that my sound is originating somewhere around the left-front wheel.

Also, I replaced my steering rack a year ago with a reman, and the problem had been present before and after. It is much worse, now though, which is why I'm trying to figure it out.

Post by **jblackburn** » 03 May 2010, 21:21

The creaking that I get right now sounds and feels like the front-left spring is catching and slipping as the strut rotates, and creates a popping/creaking sound everytime it slips.

Has the spring come loose from the bottom of its mount on the strut? I know this happened to Phil before.

https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... 6&p=124462

mv2r76 · Post by **mv2r76** » 06 May 2010, 20:47

Has the spring come loose from the bottom of its mount on the strut? I know this happened to Phil before.

Thanks for the suggestion. I checked and it appeared to be well seated, though it certainly sounded like a good idea. Also, the creaking ceased earlier in the day that I checked, so I unfortunately wasn't able to learn anything new while poking around in there because I couldn't get it to make any noise....

Two other data points:
- about a week and a half ago I had sprayed white lithium grease at the base of the spring, towards the top of the spring, and around the upper strut mount from underneath the hood. It didn't have an immediate effect on the problem (though perhaps a latent effect?)
- I had been hearing a click from the left-front CV joint when cornering, though I didn't mention this before because I didn't think the CV joint could cause the creaking sound that I was hearing. I went for an inspection, yesterday, and ended up having the axle replaced in order to pass.

I'll keep listening to see what happens over the next few weeks and post again with an update in case it's of any use to other Volvo drivers.

mv2r76 · Post by **mv2r76** » 14 Aug 2011, 19:37

Over a year later and I have finally found the source of my creak. I had originally thought it was related to the spring because I jacked it up and sprayed grease all over the top and bottom ends of the spring and then the problem went away for a long time. It came back, though, and I eventually tracked it down to the top joint on the left sway bar linkage. It got so creaky that when I was working on the front brakes I found it by leaning on the sway bar linkage and found that I was able to induce the creak just by putting a small amount of pressure on it. It's amazing how such a small thing can cause such a loud vibration through the whole car!

Hopefully this post can save someone else some time!