"Your Power Steering Rack Needs to Be Replaced" - 2007 XC70 Topic is solved

cmayo1 · Post by **cmayo1** » 25 Nov 2024, 15:52

Sigh...

What did I do to my P2 today? Took it for an inspection to find out that it needs a new power steering rack. There's a part of me that wants to doubt what I'm being told, but I don't know much about them. This is my first time going to this mechanic, and they did not show me what they were talking about on the car (you think you would for something that costs $2500+, and they had one of those fancy websites where they take all the pictures even though you're in the other room).

First, I'd like to say, how in the world do these people check over an entire car in just 30-45 minutes? It felt like the write up they did was longer than the actual inspection. They basically said "we can easily move the wheels of the car when it's up on the lift." They also said that all my front end components were good and it was just this problem that would fail the inspection.

Here are the symptoms I notice:
Consistent "hum" when driving (see attached video)
At higher RPMs, the wheels will wobble (I also noticed that it primarily happens in 2nd gear, so could be a transmission thing (although I'm not ripping it on the highway, backroads at the moment))
Somewhat stiff turning - I can drive it with one hand, but I need a bit extra grip
Heavy vibration in the wheel and my tuchus

Here's what I'm not experiencing:
Power steering leak
Whining from the pump
"wobbly driving" - Car drives straight without a hand on the steering wheel and the wheel does not go all over the place when I go over a bump

I do notice that I need to accelerate more than I feel is necessary to get the car moving, but I also do not notice a sudden change in speed when going down hill and shifting into neutral. I have not had new tires balanced, nor an alignment.

Thoughts? I want to get a second opinion (from you guys, and a frontend mechanic) because winters almost here and I don't have one of those things from fairytales called a "garage".

Thanks!

Post by **scot850** » 25 Nov 2024, 18:56

From what you are saying, it does not sound like an obvious rack issue. Possibly the inner and outer end links could be worn (trying to move the wheels while off the ground by pushing and pulling either side), if you can move the wheels then there may be wear in the links.
The only thing that points to the shop possibly being correct is the tight steering you mention. When was the power steering last flushed

When was your trans fluid last changed (no pressure flushes).

Check the mounts are not loose for the rack. How are your tires? Are they worn on the inside or outside more?

Do you have a good alignment shop in your area? Maybe go talk to them and ask their opinion. Ask them if they can check your steering and see what they have to say?

Vibrations at the steering wheel and through the seat could be a bent wheel or damaged tire. You could try swapping the wheels front to back on one side, drive and see if it makes a change, and then so the same on the other side. That may only help narrow down if it is a tire/wheel issue. A good wheel/tire shop should be able to check your rims are straight while balancing them.

Neil.

Post by **br0dy519** » 25 Nov 2024, 19:14

Hum sounds like a wheel bearing on it's way out. Wobble sounds like balljoints? Maybe. Both well documented to troubleshoot on the forum and easy to diagnose. Jack a wheel up and spin it while holding the spring with your other hand. If you feel a major vibration, that wheel bearing is bad. Jack a wheel up and insert a screwdriver or pry bar between the knuckle and the lower control arm. Pry up, if there is play you need a ball joint.

With the wheel jacked up there are other checks for tie rods (I believe if you have movement between 9/3? Someone correct me.)

Steering rack:
Easiest diagnosis is crawl under the front end and shine a light at the dust boots. If they are saturated with fluid you 100% without a doubt need a rack. I've had three rack replacements across my two vehicles and it is a tremendous job, not for the faint of heart. I subcontracted it all three times to my indy although I did supply the rack myself.

Check this site for common rack failure symptoms: https://sites.google.com/view/howardsvo ... ojg78xtlxj

Howard's site is a wealth of knowledge for P2 owners and going through all of the pages is what gave me a huge advantage early on in ownership of my cars. Both purchased almost ten years ago at 190km and now nearing 400km.

cmayo1 · Post by **cmayo1** » 26 Nov 2024, 04:44

scot850 wrote: ↑25 Nov 2024, 18:56 When was the power steering last flushed

When was your trans fluid last changed (no pressure flushes).

Check the mounts are not loose for the rack. How are your tires? Are they worn on the inside or outside more?

Do you have a good alignment shop in your area? Maybe go talk to them and ask their opinion. Ask them if they can check your steering and see what they have to say?

Neil.

1. I've never had the power steering flushed. Only owned the car for theee months, but I'm willing to start there.

2. Same with one; i thought this was a closed system up until the other day when i saw a yellow cap/stick labeled "atf fluid". i still have to drop the pan, correct?

3. Tires and rims were replaced because I did think it was a problem with the tires; the outer tread of the original tires were completely worn and these new ones are 85% tread. no change. Also, the mounts, do you mean the mounts bolting the rack on, or bolting something to the rack?

4. I have an inspection with a front end specialist next week. I made that appointment originally, got impatient and made yesterdays appointment without canceling the other. I'm glad I didn't cancel

thank you for the tips!

cmayo1 · Post by **cmayo1** » 26 Nov 2024, 04:48

br0dy519 wrote: ↑25 Nov 2024, 19:14 Hum sounds like a wheel bearing on it's way out. Wobble sounds like balljoints? Maybe. Both well documented to troubleshoot on the forum and easy to diagnose. Jack a wheel up and spin it while holding the spring with your other hand. If you feel a major vibration, that wheel bearing is bad. Jack a wheel up and insert a screwdriver or pry bar between the knuckle and the lower control arm. Pry up, if there is play you need a ball joint.

With the wheel jacked up there are other checks for tie rods (I believe if you have movement between 9/3? Someone correct me.)

Steering rack:
Easiest diagnosis is crawl under the front end and shine a light at the dust boots. If they are saturated with fluid you 100% without a doubt need a rack. I've had three rack replacements across my two vehicles and it is a tremendous job, not for the faint of heart. I subcontracted it all three times to my indy although I did supply the rack myself.

Check this site for common rack failure symptoms: https://sites.google.com/view/howardsvo ... ojg78xtlxj

Howard's site is a wealth of knowledge for P2 owners and going through all of the pages is what gave me a huge advantage early on in ownership of my cars. Both purchased almost ten years ago at 190km and now nearing 400km.

This is all good info. When I thought about doing the job, I said "Well, now instead of replacing a couple wheel bearings and maybe a ball joint, I'm just doing one rack. That's not too bad, right?", but I know that I'm only kidding myself.

I'll try those tests you mentioned and check for leaks. I'll also make sure to check the rear wheel bearings. Do you think all three symptoms (ball joint, bearing, control arm) could point to a rack?

Thanks!

Post by **br0dy519** » 26 Nov 2024, 06:55

No I believe they would be separate individual issues you would be facing. Definitely get a second opinion though I'm a huge proponent of good alignment shops.

Post by **abscate** » 26 Nov 2024, 07:31

Connect with firefox31 in NH as he knows where there is a maker space. You get access to a rack, and all the tools you need to do a job like this in warmth. Ive never seen a rack wear out, its almost always inner tie rods, outer tie rods, and balljoints.

Its possible to misdiagnose slop in the inner for a worn rack, its a subtle difference.

Post by **BlackBart** » 26 Nov 2024, 09:25

The outer tread completely worn points to an alignment issue as well.

Post by **erikv11** » 26 Nov 2024, 11:57

If you are unsure about @ what speed a front end vibration comes from, check if the wobble comes and goes when you are accelerating (i.e. engine is under load) versus when you are coasting. Or maybe you're not unsure - just mentioning it!

Vibration more specifically under load would be a sign to look at CV axle(s), vibration that increases with increasing speed would be a sign to look at wheels-steering-suspension.

cmayo1 · Post by **cmayo1** » 26 Nov 2024, 12:55

Thanks everyone.

The one thing I forgot to mention, Erik, is that my passenger side CV axle is leaking (I guess that wouldn't fail my inspection??), which would explain the wobble at high acceleration, not higher speeds.

If it is something with the tie rod ends, like abscate said, I'll have to wait on the alignment until those get replaced.

I'm definitely going to keep my appointment for next week, also going to see if they can give me a call if anyone cancels. My father, who's a mechanic, has driven this car, and when I told him the news, he said "That's funny, because it's not your rack". I think we've all got a good idea of what's going on.

Cheers!