Rebuilt Steering Rack Search From Hell

dono · Post by **dono** » 01 Nov 2023, 08:40

TLDR: 2004 Volvo V70 2.5T AWD Wagon 250k mi - Neither I nor my mechanic can find a rebuilt steering rack anywhere part number 7852501929 help greatly appreciated.

A long time leak on my v70 escalated when the high pressure hose quit and the car could no longer hold any fluid. So I contemplated doing the job myself but just couldnt bear to do it groveling under the car without a lift. I bought the correct high pressure hose from FCP but like I said it seemed too awful to do on my back. Drove the car to a new-to-me mechanic who claims to specialize in Volvos. I asked for a rebuilt rack and they agreed to do the job for a whopping 9 hrs labor charge. Fine better them than me. A few days after having the car they said the part they ordered isnt right and they will reorder. Now a week later they say they cannot find the part anywhere and may have a salvage rack they can use. According to Detroit Axle this particular year and model has 4 different rack variations (other suppliers claim only 2 different racks for the AWD)! We have tried Detroit Axle and they say they do not have the part either. Earie Volvo in New York claims they have the part for $675 but is unable to give me a part number.

I am aware I can purchase a new Volvo rack (and required new steering shaft and new high pressure hose) but that is 1,000's more on a car nearing the end of its service. As a last resort they said they may be willing to attempt to install 'a new upper seal' on my rack.

Any advise on other rack rebuilders, good salvage providers (Rackdoctors website seems to indicate they are out of business) is greatly appreciated,

Ugh,

PS side note on the part number - I took a picture of a number located on the rack as 7852501929 but my mechanic is stating the number as 7852974835 not sure why the discrepancy...

Post by **xHeart** » 01 Nov 2023, 08:52

A quick search https://www.detroitaxle.com/parts/2004- ... nd-pinion/

Post by **vtl** » 01 Nov 2023, 08:56

What's your VIN? VIDA will say the correct (Volvo) part number for sure.

Racks are very expensive. I replaced mine in 2018 with a factory-rebuilt Bosch-ZF for $800, it still works. It also came with the new tie rods/rod ends/boots, which is nice.

dono · Post by **dono** » 01 Nov 2023, 09:18

vtl wrote: ↑01 Nov 2023, 08:56 What's your VIN? VIDA will say the correct (Volvo) part number for sure.

Racks are very expensive. I replaced mine in 2018 with a factory-rebuilt Bosch-ZF for $800, it still works. It also came with the new tie rods/rod ends/boots, which is nice.

2004 V70 2.5T AWD Wagon VIN YV1SJ59H542416853

Post by **vtl** » 01 Nov 2023, 09:31

dono wrote: ↑01 Nov 2023, 09:18 2004 V70 2.5T AWD Wagon VIN YV1SJ59H542416853

2 steering racks for exchange, one without speed-sensitive steering, one with.

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dono · Post by **dono** » 27 Nov 2023, 08:57

Amusing (sort of) conclusion: I decided to treat myself and have a shop replace the rack. The legit master Volvo technician shop would only do a new rack. I went back to a shop I had used in the past and used to be excellent - two changes in ownership since I used them but they retained 'Viking' in their name so I figured they were (still) Volvo specialists - they agreed to find me a rebuilt rack. I dropped my 04 V70 off and hilarity ensued. They confidently found and installed a new rack in a few days only to discover its the wrong one for my car (obviously not using VIDA). They looked and looked and couldnt find a rebuilt so, after a week they went with a used rack. I had asked them to switch out the inner and outer tie rods from my old rack since I had replaced them less than 10k mi ago. They only replaced the outers and the alignment shop couldn't align so back on the rack to install my inners they failed to install the first time.

After 3 weeks I was finally able to pick up the car. Noticed rainbow in the rain water under my car and the manager said 'because they cleaned under carriage not a leak.' Ok. Didn't make it out of the lot before noticing the ABS light on. Went back in and they explained they couldn't have done anything to the system changing the rack - I assured them the light was not on before. The mechanic even assured me 'I tried to clear the ABS light but couldn't' (I suggested it might be the wheel speed sensor damaged during install; still wonder why a mechanic would try to 'clear a code' without checking the cause before giving the car back). No matter, it was Friday, raining and I needed to get home. Got the car under my carport and first thing I checked was the wheel speed sensor - it was unplugged. Must have been pulled removing the rack; plugged it back in and all good. Next morning gave the car the hard over steering test and she was leaking! Jacked it up, removed the splash guard and looked around. Traced the leak and found they had not tightened the return hose at the reservoir. Ran my scanner and got an EVAP code. While under the car I had noticed the evap hose from the fuel evap canaster to the intake manifold had been pulled by the bank II O2 sensor wire so I reconnected it and no more code. Decided to clean her before buttoning up so I used an air compressor to blow debris off and found a bolt (missing from the splash guard) in one of the drain grates at the firewall. Of course the alignment was off as the steering wheel was not centered properly so back she went to the shop. They got the 3rd alignment closer to being almost right so I'm done with them I hope. Everything is dry atm.

When talking to the mechanic I empathetically listened to how difficult the installation(s) were ('the HP hose has to go under the wiring bundle!') - this was obviously the first 04 P2 he had ever done. I paid $1,300 in labor and these are all nice enough guys so Im not really sure what the moral of the story is (maybe accept a master Volvo Tech is required for some jobs). I asked the owner if he would accept the job again knowing what he now knows and he said 'no.'

Post by **vtl** » 27 Nov 2023, 09:04

I was not whining when installing the rack in garage in December laying on my back. Like not the most easiest job on the planet, but totally doable. I've done worse. It cost me $0 in labor and I haven't screwed anything up. Did my own alignment as well, using a $100 Trackace laser + gauge.

Glad you've sorted your rack problem out.

Post by **abscate** » 27 Nov 2023, 12:37

Rack isn’t awful once you realize dropping the subframe gives you access to everything.

If the lines jam up, cut them off and get new ones or pick them

dono · Post by **dono** » 27 Nov 2023, 13:52

Like I said I was treating myself this time letting someone else do it - I just didnt want to grovel on my back in the cold. I had the new subframe bolts and high pressure line already ordered and in hand, glad I paid to have it done for me (even thought the service was disappointing).

For anyone willing to give it a go the best video I found for the steering rack is by Bigtime McAlpine on Youtube here