Front suspension feels odd -

warmblood58 · Post by **warmblood58** » 26 Oct 2021, 18:14

Since I have owned this '89 240 wagon, the front steering has felt strange. When I am low speed turning in a parking lot in both forward or reverse, it feels like the wheels lock up and bind slightly when the steering wheel is pitched at a hard left or right. The feeling is great resistence moving the wheels back in the opposite direction, almost as if the rack wants to stay and is fixed in the far right or left position - sound familiar to anyone here? The front struts and strut bushings were just replaced, problem existed before this work -any thoughts? Thanks

Post by **BlackBart** » 26 Oct 2021, 20:11

Steering fluid ok? Topped offl? Funny color?
Power steering pump making funny noises? High pitched, or groaning.
Any drips underneath or wet hoses?
Any binding at the steering arms on the hubs?

Post by **abscate** » 27 Oct 2021, 05:06

Get the wheels off the ground and feel the rack operation with the engine off.

Warning. Racks that bind often lock up, with very bad results. There was a rash of aftermarket Cardone racks locking up reported here. Those are distributed by lots of auto parts stores, Amazon, eBay

That is a good part to get from a PnP yard fir a genuine Volvo one

I’ve had good luck with Detroit Racks in MI if you can’t take the OEM sting

warmblood58 · Post by **warmblood58** » 27 Oct 2021, 08:09

Yikes! That information will keep me up at night . . . come to think of it, the rack looks newish, I will check file that came with car to see if it was replaced at some point -thanks

lummert · Post by **lummert** » 29 Oct 2021, 11:20

Verify if the crank pully is slipping.