V70 pulling to the left

V850B5254T · Post by **V850B5254T** » 25 Nov 2019, 00:49

Hi everybody,

My 2007 V70T aut. 282.000km (~175.000 miles) pulls to the left more often than not.
An example:
At a flat straight road, I remove my hands from the steering wheel.
The steering wheel turns ~3° to the left and the car follows.

I have changed this:
- Top bearing in McPherson
- Springs
- Dampers
- Whishbones
- The fluid in the power steering fluid reservoir, the old fluid was brownish

and have had a full 4 wheel alignment done at a workshop.

Further: now and then I hear a distant 'klonk' noise from the front. It not loud and is as much felt as heard.
I have tried to provoke the noise to appear without much luck.
It appears usually when driving straight after a turn, acceleration or braking.
I have heard it once when leaving my driveway at very low speed, with the steering wheel full left and over the small ramp onto the street.
--
Is there anyone in this forum who can provide good advice for solving this problem?

Regards from Denmark
oakey

Post by **MoVolvos** » 25 Nov 2019, 01:26

The alignment on my S80 is correct and drives straight but a little acceleration will pull it the left and will settle back again.
-
It cheap and most older cars will need it anyways.
Poly Front Subframe Bushing Insert Kit or Similar Kit from Parts Sweden
https://www.ipdusa.com/products/8969/12 ... 68-3507923

Georgeandkira · Post by **Georgeandkira** » 25 Nov 2019, 08:21

You must admit ~3º isn't much.

How long ago did you change your "wishbones" (aka Front Control Arms)?
If they came with rubber bushings which, a) have aged or b) were cheap to begin with, poly bushings will help.
I never quantified any wandering or torque steer in my 2002 but I do know the poly bushings gave me a great, solid feel.

As MoVolvos said, give the subframe poly bushing upgrade a shot. You might do it first as it is so easy to do.
I put those very ones in my '07 and felt an improvement.
The improvement was not as large as that from the poly control arm bushings but still very real.

Post by **vtl** » 25 Nov 2019, 14:16

Check your rear subframe bushings, especially the front large one, to which the stay is connected. The car may be aligned properly, but when it gets to the road the worn bushing slacks and changes the toe angle of the tire.

Also does your car have Nivomats? The Nivomats have to be pumped up before the alignment is performed.

V850B5254T · Post by **V850B5254T** » 26 Nov 2019, 01:40

Georgeandkira wrote: ↑25 Nov 2019, 08:21 You must admit ~3º isn't much.

How long ago did you change your "wishbones" (aka Front Control Arms)?
If they came with rubber bushings which, a) have aged or b) were cheap to begin with, poly bushings will help.
I never quantified any wandering or torque steer in my 2002 but I do know the poly bushings gave me a great, solid feel.

As MoVolvos said, give the subframe poly bushing upgrade a shot. You might do it first as it is so easy to do.
I put those very ones in my '07 and felt an improvement.
The improvement was not as large as that from the poly control arm bushings but still very real.

__________
Hi,
Thanks for your reply.
About angle:
Maybe the angle is 5º or 7º, - I cant measure it while I' driving

When the problem is present, I have to keep a firm hand on the wheel to make the car drive straight.
--
About parts change:
All parts mentioned have been changed in connection with the problem, - within the last month.

Regards
oakey

V850B5254T · Post by **V850B5254T** » 26 Nov 2019, 01:49

vtl wrote: ↑25 Nov 2019, 14:16 Check your rear subframe bushings, especially the front large one, to which the stay is connected. The car may be aligned properly, but when it gets to the road the worn bushing slacks and changes the toe angle of the tire.

Also does your car have Nivomats? The Nivomats have to be pumped up before the alignment is performed.

_______
Hi, thanks for your reply.

About rear subframe:
I have considered, but ruled it out as it is the steering wheel that rotates to the left when I leave it alone.
I will look into it again.
______
About Nivomat:
The original Volvo Nivomat I have installed in the car can not be pumped up.
It is a shock absorber with 'all included' together with softer springs.
The shock absorber has some kind of internal pump that levels out the ride height when driving and when loaded.
No load = no action.
As I understand, the geometry of the rear suspension does not change much from unloaded to loaded.
Anyway, - that is my understanding.

My thank to you
oakey

diyrwolf · Post by **diyrwolf** » 03 Jan 2020, 09:30

V850B5254T wrote: ↑25 Nov 2019, 00:49 Hi everybody,

My 2007 V70T aut. 282.000km (~175.000 miles) pulls to the left more often than not.
An example:
At a flat straight road, I remove my hands from the steering wheel.
The steering wheel turns ~3° to the left and the car follows.

I have changed this:
- Top bearing in McPherson
- Springs
- Dampers
- Whishbones
- The fluid in the power steering fluid reservoir, the old fluid was brownish

and have had a full 4 wheel alignment done at a workshop.

Further: now and then I hear a distant 'klonk' noise from the front. It not loud and is as much felt as heard.
I have tried to provoke the noise to appear without much luck.
It appears usually when driving straight after a turn, acceleration or braking.
I have heard it once when leaving my driveway at very low speed, with the steering wheel full left and over the small ramp onto the street.
--
Is there anyone in this forum who can provide good advice for solving this problem?

Regards from Denmark
oakey

Did you ever make any progress with this situation? I just purchased an 01 v70 XC and have some pulling/torque steer type issues. Trying to prioritize my troubleshooting list.

Post by **oragex** » 03 Jan 2020, 11:26

If you guys happen to be parking or just driving on steep inclines, the subframe bushings get soft after 130K miles and can cause a steering pull. Of course, there could be other reasons such as low pressure tire or dragging caliper

Post by **- Pete -** » 03 Jan 2020, 21:54

I didn't use my fine tooth comb, but I never saw mention of ball joints or tie rod ends in there. I'd assume if both control arms were replaced new ball joints were done at the same time, but I didn't see it written down. Those would be high on my list of potential culprits. Tire psi first.

Also, if the car is behaving in FWD only, this could account for some torque steer, but I wouldn't think it would be a constant pull. Rain grooves in the road can make you erroneously wonder about alignment/tire psi.

V850B5254T · Post by **V850B5254T** » 04 Jun 2021, 09:59

A long time has gone since I addressed Matthews Volvo Homepage.
That is mainly due to two broken ribs, a punctured lung and a broken collarbone.
I'm OK now

--
I solved the problem very simple:
A thorough flush of the hydraulic fluid in steering system did the job.
After all, - the car had rounded 270.000km (~160.000 miles) and was 13 years old.
Tell me: Who changes the hydraulic fluid in the steering system of their car ?
Only fools like me and only when it is too late - more

Regards from Denmark
oakey