00-01 V70 Rack and Pinion compatibility questions

Odyssey113 · Post by **Odyssey113** » 01 Oct 2015, 09:22

Okay...where do I start?

My mechanic recently replaced the Rack and Pinion on my 2001 Volvo V70 2.4T. My model apparently calls for the Non-Variable assist version of this rack according to the volvo dealer. The parts guy that my mechanic goes thru swore up and down to my mechanic that there was no actual difference between the two parts and that they both will work fine, claiming that the variable assist is just a "dummy sensor". My mechanic lined up both racks (the old and the new) and everything appeared to be identical. Once the rack was put back in however and the tie rods were put back in, he said that there is very little room for adjustment for the alignment, basically about 2 threads worth.

Today my mechanic said after further looking into this, they may have sent him a model 2000 and not 2001. So here is my question.

1) Is there ANY physical difference between the variable assist and non variable assist rack for 2001?

2) If this is the 2000 model of rack that is installed on my vehicle now, can this be fixed by replacing the inner or outer tie rods only, or do we need to send back the incorrect year rack and start from scratch with the right rack?

Post by **vtl** » 01 Oct 2015, 20:43

Are the rods too short or too long?

Post by **Vovo_merz** » 02 Oct 2015, 09:53

My experience with racks and pinions what the other way around my car had the assist on it but not the rack I put on the vehicle, which made the steering much harder to turn, not much noticeable after a while or if you never driven a volvo but a noticeable difference right after driving a different volvo

Danpaco · Post by **Danpaco** » 04 Oct 2015, 12:02

Vovo_merz wrote:My experience with racks and pinions what the other way around my car had the assist on it but not the rack I put on the vehicle, which made the steering much harder to turn, not much noticeable after a while or if you never driven a volvo but a noticeable difference right after driving a different volvo

I'm finding myself in a similar predicament. I would prefer to save the money on a non steering assist rack. Any other compatibility issues I should worry about?
Danpaco