New 99 V70 GLT-Power Steering Rack question.

99volvonewbie · Post by **99volvonewbie** » 14 Mar 2013, 19:31

Hey Guys,

First post here, already learned so much from the site in less than a week, already saved money. Here goes:

I was looking for a Subaru when my friend showed me this videoWhat it takes to kill a Volvo...instantly hooked. Found a nice one on craigslist for almost $2000 under KBB. 2000 Volvo V70 GLT fully loaded, booster seats, cargo nets, seat divider, new battery, non-smoker, AWD, 189K, and more...everything I needed/wanted.

Drove up to look at it with my mechanic buddy and he told me a couple of things that I needed to have fixed, the major thing being a PS leak. This thing turned out to be a 1999 smokers car, no oil change in a long time, no exhaust, no booster seats, no nets, all lies. The guy flipped out when my buddy busted out the mechanic's stethoscope, dropped the price big time and I bought it. 1.5 hr drive and it was fine on the way home. (Check engine light came on 0455, not too worried, think it is either the gas cap or the j-hoses.)

Went to have an alignment and new front tires put on and get told that I need a new control arm, leaky rack, gonna need new tie rods soon. Exhaust obviously needs fixed. Get it back to my house and realize that I had a leak in the lower hose coming from the coolant reservoir. Tried to take it off and the reservoir broke at that connection.

Ordered the control arm (Shop was wanting $110 for the part, $80 for labor and, $80 for alignment) got it and put it on, real easy, while I was under there got a good look at the rack and found the leak. It is right at the seal where vertical meets horizontal.

So:
Passenger side control arm: Replaced
Coolant reservoir/hose: Replaced
Leaking Windshield Fluid reservoir: On the list
Exhaust: On the list
Rear brake calipers: On the list
Steering Rack: On the list, this is my question.

I have priced out new steering racks and they are pricey, shop wants $700 to fix mine. I am wondering if it would be cheaper for me to just buy a new one and put it on myself. I would love to just be able to replace the seals on it and hope that it works but would like to hear some suggestions.

All in all I am quite happy with the vehicle and hope to squeeze out a couple hundred thousand miles out of it. Really looking forward to becoming a part of the community here on the forums. Sorry for the long first post.

99volvonewbie · Post by **99volvonewbie** » 14 Mar 2013, 19:55

Thanks,

I have tried two bottles of Lucas Stop leak on a recommendation from here and still no dice. Luckily I have yet to get any groaning or anything from the car.

99volvonewbie · Post by **99volvonewbie** » 15 Mar 2013, 21:59

Okay, I was wrong. Drove out for some groceries and noticed some groaning pulling into the parking lot. Checked it when I came out...bone dry..I mean no liquid in the PS tank. Bad? Yes. So...I will be ordering a new rack. Any recommendations on a good tut for replacement and a good brand? I would like to find one under $300..preferably free shipping and minimum core charge. Any takers?

Also, off the top of your head does anyone know the coolant capacity for the tank+what would stay in the engine? Noticed some greenish fluid on the garage floor, front passenger side under the headlight. Coolant and wiper fluid are the same shade so hard to tell. Coolant tank was running low but I did just replace it so just want to make sure.

99volvonewbie · Post by **99volvonewbie** » 19 Mar 2013, 19:21

bump

This leak is getting worse and worse. 20 mile drive caused me to lose a whole res. of fluid. I had no where to pull over when I started hearing the rack groan so I drove on to the auto store.

Fluids
Snow
Fluids

Ok, leave that parking lot and BAM no power steering. Turns out that I only have power steering when accelerating. Does this make sense to anyone that is more mechanically inclined than myself?

Post by **vjaneczko** » 20 Mar 2013, 10:50

When you accelerate, the engine spins faster and (obviously) increases the spin of the serp belt which will increase the friction (a little) and also spin the pump faster. It's probably an indicator that your belt needs to be replaced and/or the tensioner at the same time.

I'll guess that your lights will dim at idle since the belt also spins the alternator.

99volvonewbie · Post by **99volvonewbie** » 20 Mar 2013, 10:57

I just put in a new belt less than a week ago. I will check the light thing when I drive home later today. So you don't think it has anything to do with the leak I am dealing with in my rack? Thanks for the response too by the way.

Post by **vjaneczko** » 20 Mar 2013, 12:33

So yeah, two problems. If you replaced the belt, make sure the tensioner is nice & tight - did you happen to replace it, too? If not, you may need a new one. If you can move the tentioner by hand, it's probably time.

The leak is a different issue. Where's it coming from? If you lose a whole tank of fluid in less than a week, Lukas won't help. You have a serious issue. Is it possible you hit something that ripped a hose or something?

99volvonewbie · Post by **99volvonewbie** » 20 Mar 2013, 12:53

I'll check the tensioner too.

The leak is at the seal where the vertical part of the steering column meets the horizontal portion. I got a new rack today so I got to put that on.