98 v70: odd power steering issue Topic is solved

[CIK7]

When engine is first started cold, steering wheel is stiff and I have to forcefully turn it to unstick it. I think I mentioned in another post that the steering (suppose to be light) is very heavy (heavier than my Honda accord). After checking a few times, the power steering fluid level does NOT go down. It seems I overfilled it because while cold it is up to the HOT line on cap stick. But it still whines when turning and fluid has lots of bubbles within, not frothy on top. So considering it does not leak fluid but fluid is bubbly, what could be the issue? I did a flush (extracting and adding at same time) not too long ago to replace the wrong fluid the PO used. At time of sale he said he put a new steering rack in because the PO (threw me under the bus, and paused when realized who he was referring to) did not take care of the persistent fluid-leaking-out-of-rack issue. Does anyone have a solution?

[scot850]

There is a bearing and a knuckle at the bottom of the steering shaft. The bearing may be partly seized or the knuckle. You can try re-greasing the bearing in place (at the floor) and try some PB blaster on the knuckle just under the floor.

Neil.

[scot850]

I am also curious. What is a 1998 Volvo V70GT?? I have seen that term in the US ads and once up here but have never heard of that model? Is it the LPT engine and actually the GLT?

Neil.

[CIK7]

I am also curious. What is a 1998 Volvo V70GT?? I have seen that term in the US ads and once up here but have never heard of that model? Is it the LPT engine and actually the GLT?

Neil.

Refer to my signature for bits of info. So my white 98 s70 5sp was a true GT. A GT is a base NA model with a sunroof and minimal other options normally offered on the higher trim levels. The Rotten Tomato had black cloth seats when I bought it (and has black cloth door inserts). At one point, I thought the Rotten Tomato was a GT because it has the sunroof and came from factory with third row seats, hence GT in the 'Year and Model' section. However, when I called Bill Knight Lincoln/Volvo of Tulsa, they said it was a GLE/SE (as my sig states). I assume that means its a GLE dubbed as Special Edition because a custom order was submitted for third row seats. I am going to update profile.
June bought a 98 V70 GT brand new (refer to her sig).

[scot850]

Must be a US thing. We got Base/GLE, which then became the SE with leather seats, but not always a sunroof. That only became a thing in the 98-00 era of V/S 70 cars. Then there was the turbo and R. Can't be sure if any of those were ever badged as SE as most came with the SE spec options anyway here.

Anyway, still struggling to get the 'GT' part. The T5 or R may have had the pace to be what I grew up in Europe as a GT spec which was the 'go faster' option of a manufacturer line up.

Thanks for the education, you always have to keep learning, especially with so many variations in different markets.

Neil.

[CIK7]

I verified the knuckle and bearings still have grease on them

[CIK7]

What issue would putting in the wrong fluid cause? maybe i didnt get all the ps fluid out that the PO put in. i used atf but maybe half of it is still in there?

[CIK7]

I might have just found out the problem. PO just told told me he bought the 2nd cheapest steering rack off of RockAuto. A cheapo would cause problems, right?
PO just told me ps fluid and auto trans fluid is the same with different names. Is that true? Have i been fooled?
PO just told me no leak but bubbles in fluid means air is in the system and to just run the car and tur wheel left and right to purge the air.

[scot850]

On the older P80's 98 and older, ATF is the correct fluid for the system with the older power steering pump. There are differences in ATF though so if the PO just used any ATF it may not be the correct one.

Some use Synthetic Mobil 1 ATF, Dexron III/Mercon is the correct type.

Neil.

[wizechatmgr]

+1 on using synthetic ATF for the power steering.... The other possibility is the pressure relief valve could be sticking... I believe it has an integrated one with a strainer in it.