are P80 racks fully interchangeable?

[erikv11]

Actually what you want to know is who has tried it and with success or failure. More so than what might work, what the parts books say, etc.

That is the greatest strength of the forum, getting the practical (empirical) information.

I haven't tried it and don't know who has! But we have the search function ...

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=72607&p=382745&hili ... ck#p382745
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=65556&p=339745&hili ... ck#p339745

The first post is especially informative, from BigWill. I think the short answer is "yes."

[Cookeh]

I Are P80 subframes "completely interchangeable"?

No, actually. There was a change in engine mount location at some point. I can't recall exact years or chassis numbers. I believe it was during the latter S/V/C years.

[Azik09]

if a used rack come with tie rod ends will it fit any P80? Or, more particularly, can I put an S/V70 rack on my 850?

Yes.

[850oldschool]

Thanks, everybody! My odds look pretty good. I’ll wait on the subframe and steering column until the rack arrives. If P80’s have a kitchen sink I’m sure Rick knows the part numbers of all five versions.

I’m thinking I’ll do subframe bushings when I drop it, plus maybe rear motor mount, it’s got about 10 years on it. And PS lines, of course. They’re rusty and the rubber is pretty hard. The Gates lines are the only thing in the middle ground between Sunsong and OEM Volvo. Are they any good, or just Sunsong in a different package?

[abscate]

TRW and SMI racks are both listed in the Volvo web- store, with different part numbers

Someone pasted recently that you can tell them apart by looking at the cap on the end of the shaft gear

[erikv11]

Here's the best consolidation I know of for using the hex cap versus round cap to make the distinction: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=75524 see especially pics on pages 2 and 3

And here's some good info from IPD about original equipment: https://www.ipdusa.com/products/5801/11 ... 413,T10029

And a quote of the most useful bits from the above mentioned IPD page, which supports the overwhelming (!) evidence that the racks are interchangeable:
"These models were originally equipped with SMI racks:

1999 S70 AWD with Chassis Number 572015 and higher
1999-2000 V70 AWD/XC with Chassis Number 549831 and higher
1998-2000 S70 FWD with Steering Rack Code "5" (Position 8 of Product ID)
1998-2000 V70 FWD with Steering Rack Code "5" (Position 8 of Product ID)
1998-2004 C70 with Steering Rack Code "5" (Position 8 of Product ID)
If you have an early 1998 S70 FWD or 1998 V70 FWD with 7 digit Product ID then your car originally came equipped with a TRW rack not SMI.

See attached technical article for more information regarding Product ID plate.

If the rack was ever replaced on your car, then it could be either style.

It's not a bad idea to buy both styles and simply return the units you don't use."