96 850 - best current sources for reman steering racks and radiators??

[SonicAdventure]

Hey ya’ll - well it’s been about 2 1/2 years since I had someone put in a reman-Ed TRW rack and bang, got a slow leak again. Should I try the Lucas stuff or the Valvoline additive as a stopgap? Or both at the same time?

Looking over the budget to keep this car on the road - as of late 2024, what is the best option for remanufactured TRW style racks and also for a radiator? The one in the car is original and while it’s not leaking, at almost 30 years old I’d prefer to be proactive on this. Thanks -

[abscate]

Hello Sonic! I’ve moved east of you to Long Island since we last met!


I’ve done three Nissens radiators from FCP over the last 10 years with good results. Four if I include the one I did twice , left it hanging without one of the bolts which strained open the side container.

Racks , I have used both Detroit axle and United parts? On four different p80s. The Volvo rack is NLA

Big thread here.

https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/repla ... volvo-850/

There’s also a recent write up on rack sources, by firefox31 , hiding on the bushes somewhere.

Found it!

viewtopic.php?t=99317&hilit=Steering+rack+sources

You need to work carefully to preserve the steering rack UJ as that part is only junkyard available now

[jreed]

I put a Nissens radiator in my '97 855 a couple years ago and it was a good fit and has been working OK since, with no issues noted yet. I would buy it again based on what I've seen so far.

[foggydogg]

Avoid Cardone, sometimes hiding in a local parts store rebox. Cardone racks are famous for locking up at random, happened to me once, and Robert just helped a friend with the same issue within ten miles of installation.

[erikv11]

Hey ya’ll - well it’s been about 2 1/2 years since I had someone put in a reman-Ed TRW rack and bang, got a slow leak again. Should I try the Lucas stuff or the Valvoline additive as a stopgap? Or both at the same time?

...

I've tried it once many years ago with success, not recently, but yes, many people on the forum like Valvoline MaxLife ATF with Stop Leak for slow leaking P80 racks. Worth a try IMO. I'd switch out all/most of the fluid for the stop-leak ATF.

[SonicAdventure]

Hello Sonic! I’ve moved east of you to Long Island since we last met!


I’ve done three Nissens radiators from FCP over the last 10 years with good results. Four if I include the one I did twice , left it hanging without one of the bolts which strained open the side container.

Racks , I have used both Detroit axle and United parts? On four different p80s. The Volvo rack is NLA

Big thread here.

https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/repla ... volvo-850/

There’s also a recent write up on rack sources, by firefox31 , hiding on the bushes somewhere.

Found it!

viewtopic.php?t=99317&hilit=Steering+rack+sources

You need to work carefully to preserve the steering rack UJ as that part is only junkyard available now

Hey Abscate, was wondering if you moved down there or not, good for you! Thanks for all this detailed info.

I’m leaning towards Detroit Axle for the rack. I see they are selling racks through their own eBay store, as well as through their webpage. Do you think there is any difference? Also, for their “complete racks”, they don’t seem to differentiate between TRW and any other brands. I know my car has TRW Tie rod ends on there now as I’ve checked my old FCP orders. I’ve asked DA through their eBay channel as well, just waiting to hear. Thanks.

[abscate]

If you buy a complete rack with tie rods , you can put a trw rack on an SMI car. Once you fight off the tie rods in the Northeadt once , you won’t do it again