'99 S70 Auto Base, FWD-Steering rack replacement aftermath

Post by **E Showell** » 25 Oct 2016, 05:56

So I opted to have my local independent install the rebuilt steering rack (A-1 Cardone from FCP) on the S70. I picked it up yesterday. Twice while driving home from the shop I had the rack bind up on me to the point where I simply could not turn the wheel to the right. Back at the shop, my mechanic said he'd never seen that unless something in the interior of the rack was damaged, i.e., unless the rebuilt rack was bad out of the box. He suggested I park it overnight with the wheel turned all the way to one lock as it is possible there is an air bubble in the line. I'll drive it gingerly again today and see if the overnight strategy produced a result.

Anybody else experience this after a rack replacement? It was actually quite frightening in the situation I was in -- left turn at a busy intersection then trying to bring the car back right again. But for some quick work with the hazard light switch, I could easily have been rear ended by folks making the same left turn.

obayha · Post by **obayha** » 25 Oct 2016, 10:00

I have not had a problem, but was wondering how many miles on it to require a rack change?
Shane

skloon · Post by **skloon** » 25 Oct 2016, 10:34

Sounds like the rack is defective, as to mileage it varies I have two p80s with 430000 and 350000 km with no rack issues and another with 223000 that needed a new rack-this one the pump went then it filled the rack with bits of metal that took out the rack- as far as I can tell from my forensic wrenching

Post by **E Showell** » 25 Oct 2016, 11:40

126 K miles. Afternoon test drives reveals leaving at full lock overnight probably allowed an air bubble in the system to escape. Happy to report new, rebuilt rack seems fine.

Post by **cn90** » 25 Oct 2016, 21:14

I have heard a few stories about Cardone not a very reliable brand.
To bleed the system:
- Engine running
- Turn SW full locks right and left a few times to get rid of air.

BTW, the TRW steering rack is $420 on rmeuropean.com.

Post by **E Showell** » 29 Jul 2017, 13:40

Yeah -- so I guess I never updated this thread. It wasn't an air bubble in the power steering fluid. Rather, it was a defective Cardone rack for which FCP refunded my money. I saw another post about one of these on this site today.

If you are in the market for a rebuilt power steering rack, I'd stay away from the Cardone ones.