1992 240 Wagon Shaking/Knocking in Steering

[hockeyjake1997]

Hi all,
Bought a 240 Wagon Friday as my new daily driver (2nd Volvo, 1st 240). I have an issue where when I steer theres a vibrating or knocking. Its speed sensitive, does it when turning as slightly as changing lanes on the highway, or when turning nearly to the stops at even 5 or so mph, like pulling into a parking spot. It's worth noting that at high speeds it only does it when turning right. The outer tie rod ends look pretty new and don't seem to have any play. I jacked up both sides and the wheel has very little play vertically or horizontally. Vertical was maybe a couple mms, enough to make a little clicking noise. I took off the power steering reservoir cap and steered back and forth for a while, holding at the stops. Got a substantial amount of bubbles out but didn't help. Tightened the power steering pump tension but that didn't help either. The tires are pretty bare, the right one actually bald on the outside half. The knocking seems to start sometimes as I return to neutral, other times just as I'm turning. Doesn't happen on every turn. My first step is obviously going to be getting new tires, but could something else be causing this?

[hockeyjake1997]

Also if it makes a difference its a pretty strong/violent knock. When it happens at low speed its almost feels as if the front of the car is bouncing

[jimmy57]

The list is pretty big with what info has been provided.
List, not necessarily in any order:
1. bent wheels
2. loose wheel
3. faulty tire
4. flex coupling in steering shaft
5. inner or outer tie rod ends
6. faulty steering rack

[lummert]

From experience the first thing I'd check for is a slipping crankshaft pulley.

[hockeyjake1997]

From experience the first thing I'd check for is a slipping crankshaft pulley.

How would I check that/ what other symptoms would I have?

[hockeyjake1997]

The list is pretty big with what info has been provided.
List, not necessarily in any order:
1. bent wheels
2. loose wheel
3. faulty tire
4. flex coupling in steering shaft
5. inner or outer tie rod ends
6. faulty steering rack

I can double check for looseness but I would think that would be more constant. The wheels don't appear to be bent. I'm hoping it's just the tires, replacing those this week. The outer tie rod ends look nearly new and dont seem to have any play, how do I check the inners?

[hockeyjake1997]

Little more info, hoping it helps, I jacked it back up and really shook the wheel. Still little to nothing in the 12oclock 6oclock axis. But at the 3oclock 9oclock axis, if I twist in a way so as to pull the front edge, (3oclock out 9oclock in on the passenger side), I get some play, as if pulling out the inner tie rod, and the steering wheel jiggles/turns a little. Much less play on drivers side. In addition when i looked at the tire after one of these episodes there was horizontal scrape marks on it, indicating it has bounced, slid along rather than rolling. Could I possibly just be terribly misaligned? Also, not to totally rule out power steering issues, towards the stops, as in wheel turned all the way, it almost feels as if the wheel is being pulled in the direction I'm turning, like it wants to suck it in that last bit. Is that a pump issue or just normal because its RWD?

[hockeyjake1997]

From experience the first thing I'd check for is a slipping crankshaft pulley.

I did a visual observation while it was running. No wobble or imbalance in any direction, seemed to be steady rpms. Looked very smooth actually

[hockeyjake1997]

Got new tires today, made it MUCH better. Still seems to happen a little/ feels like it wants to happen. Replacing ball joints and inner tie rods to finish the job

[hockeyjake1997]

For anyone who has a similar issue: It was a compound problem. Shot ball joints, old tires, and I was 10.5 and 12 degrees out of alignment in the front wheels