2004 Volvo XC70 - Steering not returning from full turn

raducris · Post by **raducris** » 28 Mar 2008, 07:13

Hi,
I'm new on this forum since I just purchased my car last month, a 2004 XC70 with 114.000 Km.

Here is my problem:
When making a full turn, if I release my hands from the steering wheel, it will stay locked and the car goes in perfect circles until it runs out of gas. I can get down and watch it from the side... If I gently pull the wheel, it will slowly return to the center position. I didn't notice this in other conditions, except to a FULL turn, to the left or to the right, it doesn't matter.

Initially, Volvo said that I am missing the limiters inside the steering rack (which proved to be false). Then they said that the steering rack doesn't have a part no, so it may have been replaced (because of a frontal hit!!!!). I have proofs that the car was never involved in any accident at all.
When the car was lifted I noticed that the tires are touching the stabilizer bar at full turn. Also, when I drive it, I can easily see how the steering wheel is "attracted" like by a magnet when it's approx 1" close to the end of the turn. This will smudge the car a little (at first I blamed it on the slippery conditions of the road).

I drove one other identical Volvo and it did exactly the same thing. When I told that to Volvo (my mistake), they said that if 2 cars act the same way, then this is the way to be, that is the normal way of steering, they "cannot fix something which is by design". I could agree with them that if they had told me this before I told them, but it was the other way around. My guess is that they are not aware of this defect, but they don't have a solid explanation for it. They refused to give me something in written saying that this is normal for my car.

If any of you encountered the same issue and if you know a fix for it, I would be grateful to you if you share it with me.

Thanks,
Cristian

sony2000 · Post by **sony2000** » 29 Mar 2008, 15:48

If you want the car to center the steering on its own, then align the "toe in" on the front wheels to their maximum allowed. Personally I have it done, for the least amount of toe in.

raducris · Post by **raducris** » 30 Mar 2008, 18:51

Thank you, this will be my second step, after I'll have the front control arm bushings replaced. I don't think this is the cause, but since I'll have the wheels aligned, it's better to eliminate all possible plays.

Post by **JRL** » 04 Apr 2008, 15:29

If it makes you feel any better I just bought an 03 (for sale, see classifieds) that just did the sme thing.
While trying to make a tight (FULL LOCK) U turn in a parking lot, it locked all the way right.
Perhaps the newer ones 03 and newer just do this?!
EDIT:
Only does this on the right side, it may be worn steering stops and it's going past/over the stops, I will investigate this week