Vague steering wheel

[TisMe]

Took a 6-hour worktrip with my brother inside his '04 XC70. I was gushing over the dormant power of his 2.5L, but when I got behind the wheel I immediately noticed the 1/2" - 1" play in the wheel before the steering rack engages. I commented on it and he says, "oh yeah, it's been like that for a while no big deal".

Knowing how busy he is as a young family man, I figured I'd pester all of you without his permission.

I presume it's something within the suspension, and it's not impossible I'll find it when I insist on his oil change before we part ways. But I've also never had such vagueness in my own wheels no matter how shoddy my rubber components have been, so I figured I'd check in with y'all just in case there's something else to investigate, or perhaps something obviously simplistic to someone more knowledgable.

One of my thoughts were perhaps a steering coupler somewhere within the steering wheel linkage, but I haven't had time to investigate the design of it yet so that's a hail mary.

inb4 "this sticky'd thread already explains it"

As always, thanks folks!

[- Pete -]

So it does or doesn’t have impressive power?

Most likely, worn out inner/outer tie rods or excessively worn ball joints. If it’s been neglected it could easily be both.
Maybe I missed it, but does it pull one way or another? Does that pull change when accelerating or braking?

[TisMe]

Impressive power laying in wait to be unleashed by a lead foot my 2.4L is no comparison. Feels so torquey!

Upon question (he's obviously driven it much more than myself), he said it feels as if acceleration can produce a L/R tug.

I drove it a little today and experienced a hard braking moment where nothing felt squirrelly (just a quick town-esque excursion). BUT, alongside your much appreciated input, and his affirmation of sway on acceleration, I'm leaning toward an aged tie rod.

...unless you have other thoughts?

Tires are also new, and I believe he had an alignment during the fresh state inspection. I leant him my LED reverse light housing during that moment, but don't tell anyone

[- Pete -]

It’s an easy one to decipher - tie rod related or ball joint. Get one of the fronts off the ground & grab the tire at 3 and 9; if it wiggles left/right it’s most likely tie rod related. Whether it’s inner or outer you’ll need to get underneath, might be easier with the wheel off too. For ball joint, grab tire at 6 and 12 and if it wiggle up/down, most likely ball joint is toast (sometimes the nut on the bottom can work loose too). Best to have a closer look to verify, but those are really quick tests that don’t involve removing anything.

[June]

My 04 S80 rack started to get play in the wheel and it was internal wear in the rack. If it is not the suspension or tie rods, check the rack itself. My car has the ZF variable assist rack which was optional on his car. June

[abscate]

but when I got behind the wheel I immediately noticed the 1/2" - 1" play in the wheel before the steering rack engages.

Im a risk taker, but not on brakes or steering. If I blow an engine up, Ill fix it. Its much harder to fix lives.

Get the front end up and evaluate tie rods and Ball joints

Volvos are tight-tight-tight handling - if they arent, something is wrong and they get parked.

[TisMe]

but when I got behind the wheel I immediately noticed the 1/2" - 1" play in the wheel before the steering rack engages.

Volvos are tight-tight-tight handling - if they arent, something is wrong and they get parked.

Precisely why I raised a mental red flag the moment I felt the wheel. I've had "return to center" issues personally, but never a vague steering wheel.Seems that I'll be offering him my spare suspension components, if he'll be willing to accept the gesture.

Thanks for all the input fellas, I'll do my best to follow up with a summary of suspicion during the oil change.