2003XC70 Steering rack = mush

carboncow · Post by **carboncow** » 02 Jul 2015, 10:56

Our third car in the family...it's seeing much love these days. I bought new loaded struts, sway bar links and what I thought was a need for inner and outer tie rods. My tech buddy was going todo it today and said the steering rack is mush inside...which explains why it doesn't return to center very well either!

What is the PIA factor for swapping the rack on an XC70?

This car was a salvage I bought back for $600 as it's got a bump in the rear end. Looks fine but they totaled it. I'm sure I don't want to be $1500 into it but I see used racks on ebay for $200-300. What should I expect for time/labor/hassle?

Thanks!

Post by **oragex** » 02 Jul 2015, 22:00

rack... how rusted? does it leak fluid already? if not, then give it a good cleaning, and make sure to put oetiker clamps (no tieraps here).

If the steering doesn't have that balanced light-heavy volvo feeling, I would suspect mostly a tired p/s pump

carboncow · Post by **carboncow** » 03 Jul 2015, 07:36

No fluid leak. He explained that the worm gears are worn inside...thus sloppy. I may have not been clear but the symptoms are like bad tie rod ends...but it's internal issues.

Post by **oragex** » 03 Jul 2015, 15:01

It is rare for a rack to have worn gears. But maybe it can happen.

I thought by mush you meant there was rust inside the dust boots, on the rack rod (caused by improper boot clamps)

I remember I had a bent ball joint and the steering felt very 'disconnected'. Had three garages in a row trying to convince me I need a new steering rack. Good part of the story is that's when I started to do my own repairs