Is there a manual steering rack that would work in a 1999 S70?

Post by **ThaddeusTheBold** » 25 Jun 2024, 04:37

Hi,

I'm converting a 1999 S70 T5 to full electric. It has a leaking steering rack currently, and in any event I'm going to need to source an electric steering pump soon... unless:

I'd happily replace the PS rack with a manual one, if there was one available that would work. Is there something like that from some other model (like an 850) that would bolt in? Then I wouldn't have to mess around with the electric pump (and use my precious battery power to run it), hoses, etc.

Thanks

Thaddeus

Post by **scot850** » 25 Jun 2024, 08:26

Maybe somewhere in the world options there was a non-power steering option, but I have never heard of it on an 850. Being FWD and the heavy trans and engine over the front wheels it possibly had to have the power steering option.

In Europe they have developed electric motor power steering to overcome heavy steering in old cars. Maybe worth checking into those to see how much power they use? There are 3 or so companies in the UK at least, one is below:

https://www.ezpowersteering.co.uk/

From a Volvo perspective you may have to go back some time to find a non-powered option. I don't know anything about the first gen S/V40 with the smaller 1.9liter engine if it had a power steering rack or not. Before that you might have to go back as far as the 140/160 to get a car without a power rack. Your only other option is to look at somewhere like Rock Auto and just plow through all cars and see if any have manual rack options.

Neil.

Post by **foggydogg** » 25 Jun 2024, 08:52

Volvo didn't build a P80 with a manual rack. On the electric steering rack setups I've read about the system is dormant until assist is called for; my guess is the battery load is low.

Post by **Clemens** » 26 Jun 2024, 04:20

Electric racks are used in some expedition vehicle and rally/road racing builds over here. I have no experience with them, though.

and as others said, no PS was not an option on p80ies. Even the cheapish 440 and 460 Volvos had a loud and whiney PS

Post by **ThaddeusTheBold** » 26 Jun 2024, 04:21

Thanks all. Electric PS pump it is.

5underpressure · Post by **5underpressure** » 26 Jun 2024, 13:32

I’ve looped the lines on a few racks and boxes. The Prius and Saturn ion electric columns are pretty popular with retro fitters. I’m not sure how much room there is under the dash of these cars.

V50M66 · Post by **V50M66** » 27 Jun 2024, 00:05

If you don't care about not having power steering at all, could you not just loop the lines together on the factory rack and call it a day?