'02 S60-Tight spots in steering.

CountryBum-kin · Post by **CountryBum-kin** » 18 Jul 2011, 18:57

Hello fellow Volvo owners. I have a minor problem that cropped up recently. The car: S60 AWD, 129,000 miles, last service was at 128,000 miles on Feb 08, 2011. The car sat for approx 2 weeks around a month ago. When I did get in it to take a drive I noticed some tightness in the steering wheel at approx. every 90°of turn. The degree of tightness will vary and has sever been so tight that I feel safety is compromised. My first thought was worn tie-rod end(s), given the mileage. Both seem fine, no movement up or down, and after pondering about it would seem tie-rod ends would be loose, not tight. So now I am thinking the problem may be in the steering wheel knuckles/joints.

Has anyone here ran into anything resembling this issue? If so what was the diagnosis and repair? Awaiting your replies.

Post by **DGM** » 18 Jul 2011, 20:12

I know that owners have reported their steering to be "square" sometimes. I heard it on the 850/S70 series.

As I understand, the joints on the steering column become stiff overtime. Especially on the exposed ones between the firewall and the steering rack.

As preventing maintenance, I spray it with WD-40 and then splash it with "Fluid Film" . With the warm weather the lubricant will seep in naturally. It is my home made method to prevent it.

I used it on my s70 and now on the V70 P2.

It may be something you can try.

You can change them but they are hard to reach on turbo models.

Post by **jimmy57** » 18 Jul 2011, 23:17

Have someoen turn the steering wheel with engine running and watch the power steering pump pulley. A sticky serpentine belt tensioner will fail to keep the belt tight and the power steering pump will momentarily stop and make the steering jumpy.

CountryBum-kin · Post by **CountryBum-kin** » 22 Jul 2011, 23:29

DGM wrote:I know that owners have reported their steering to be "square" sometimes. I heard it on the 850/S70 series.

As I understand, the joints on the steering column become stiff overtime. Especially on the exposed ones between the firewall and the steering rack.

As preventing maintenance, I spray it with WD-40 and then splash it with "Fluid Film" . With the warm weather the lubricant will seep in naturally. It is my home made method to prevent it.

I used it on my s70 and now on the V70 P2.

It may be something you can try.

You can change them but they are hard to reach on turbo models.

DGM, thanks very much for the helpful advice and sorry for taking so long to reply. Before posting I had sprayed the joint at the rack and the firewall (so far from the inside only), and at intervals of of about two weeks. I was using PB Blaster because it always performed well on rusted nut and bolt threads. However, the latest can purchased seems to be weaker than in the past. I will give W-D 40 a try, probably better anyway since it disperses moister as well as lubricate. Any particular method of getting the lubricant in the right place would be greatly appreciated. CHEERS!

jimmy57 wrote:Have someoen turn the steering wheel with engine running and watch the power steering pump pulley. A sticky serpentine belt tensioner will fail to keep the belt tight and the power steering pump will momentarily stop and make the steering jumpy.

J

Jimmy, good advice. I should have done that first. I will post any progress. CHEERS!

Post by **DGM** » 23 Jul 2011, 05:58

You can raise the rubber boot on the inside to spray the u-joint on the other side. This is to prevent corrosion. Ideally you should use a liquid grease. A product like "Fluid Film".

However if the u-joint is defective it should be replaced.

The following link gives the procedure to change it.

https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... =9&t=41127

We have a "How to" on the subject at "Club Volvo Quebec" but infortunatly it is restricted to members.

I have asked the owner to publish it here. The procedure i have outline came from it.

Chili58 · Post by **Chili58** » 04 May 2024, 14:40

I would check the strut's bearings, if steering is "kicking back" or "square".

Those bad top strut bearings will cause the steering "kicking"; that can be seen when hood is up and open and your friend is turning steering wheel slowly - car engine running.

Yaworski · Post by **Yaworski** » 04 May 2024, 17:58

I had something like that happen after I had the rack replaced on my 02 S60. Turned out that the power steering pump was bad. They looked at the universals first and then realized that the pump wasn't pumping. New pump and all is good.

02V70 · Post by **02V70** » 12 May 2024, 12:54

I had something similar happen when I was low on power steering fluid.

Chili58 · Post by **Chili58** » 12 May 2024, 21:45

Solved: It was the U-joint in engine bay area; it needed only some WD40 to get back flexible again.

02V70 · Post by **02V70** » 12 May 2024, 21:47

Awesome! I suggest getting a different kind of grease since WD40 doesn't stick very long. Some multipurpose grease or maybe even engine oil will probably work better.