Deadzone in steering 1999 volvo c70

dandanboi25 · Post by **dandanboi25** » 22 Oct 2024, 01:46

270k km
I am able to move the steering wheel about 3/4 inch each way without the wheels turning, what could this be caused by? The steering column near the pedals seems to turn 1-1 with the steering wheel. Problem makes it very fatiguing to drive on the highway.
Any help is greatly appreciated

Post by **850 LPT** » 22 Oct 2024, 05:57

Hi there,
I would check tie rods first, they may be worn to the point where you have a lot of play in them.

Post by **scot850** » 22 Oct 2024, 08:50

If your tie rods are worn, you may well find your inner edges of your front tires are wearing faster as it allows the wheels to splay outwards wearing in inside edges.

Neil.

dandanboi25 · Post by **dandanboi25** » 23 Oct 2024, 20:19

Ok so there seems to be a fair bit of play in the right wheel, it seems to be primarily coming from the lower control arm ball joint (I think i have to replace the arm). When I turn the wheel in the deadzone, there seems to be no movement in the outer tie rod but a small amount of movement from inside the boot on the steering rack.

Post by **abscate** » 24 Oct 2024, 02:28

That’s a safety issue on that ball joint. When they get play, the next step is breakage and that’s exciting on the road

dandanboi25 · Post by **dandanboi25** » 24 Oct 2024, 02:43

Yeah in the process of replacing the control arm, although im not so sure it could be causing the deadzone in the steering.

Post by **abscate** » 24 Oct 2024, 06:53

dandanboi25 wrote: ↑24 Oct 2024, 02:43 Yeah in the process of replacing the control arm, although im not so sure it could be causing the deadzone in the steering.

It would have to be really sloppy to do that, agreed. If the ball joints are worn out, its a cinch that the tie rod ends have gone through a life cycle or two - maybe both inner and outer?

Make sure you get right parts for your rack - TRW and SMI racks take different inner tie rods, to confuse the issue TRW makes the parts, but you have to get the right part numbers

dandanboi25 · Post by **dandanboi25** » 08 Nov 2024, 18:57

Ok so ive replaced the lower control arm and inspected the outer tie rods, which seem to be fine, the steering feels slightly better but no massive improvement. Is there any way the rack could be causing the issue, and how can I inspect the inner tie rods to see if they are the issue?
Many thanks
Dan

Post by **scot850** » 08 Nov 2024, 20:19

Easiest way to test the inners was when they were disconnected. Disconnect them again. If the tie rods can hold themselves without dropping the inners are good. If they flop down immediately they are done.

Neil.

Post by **abscate** » 09 Nov 2024, 04:45

Usually you get the car up on a rack and grab the wheel and pivot it back and forth in a 'steering motion'

While you do this, you watch the tie rods for movement and see which end has 'slop' or if both ends have slop. You can have an assistant grab and hold the other wheel.

In the driveway you can just jack up one wheel, then put a jackstand under the car, then roll under and do the same test with help from the outside