Steering seized after a rack replacement

brunocerous · Post by **brunocerous** » 15 Jan 2022, 20:53

After a steering rack replacement on Blue Steel (‘98 V70 base) about a month ago and not driving it much since then, I had a few minutes of a crank, no-start situation in 11-degree weather.

Once the car was warmed up and I was on the highway, the steering wheel “locked” at a slight angle as I was merging. I couldn’t straighten it as hard as I tried and had to come to a quick stop on the median, just barely jutting into the lane.

The wheel loosened up again, and I drove to the shoulder, where I checked the reservoir, which was fine, and the underside, which did not appear to be leaking.

It temporarily seized again, but I was able to regain control by briefly turning against the direction I wanted to go in. The rest of the drive was fine, but it rattled me.

Did I have moisture in the system that iced up? Belt, fluid level and alignment were fine and nothing seemed to be leaking. Any ideas on what to look at next would be appreciated.

454cid · Post by **454cid** » 15 Jan 2022, 21:12

Wow, I have no idea, but I'm glad it didn't cause you to wreck. That would shake me up too.

Post by **abscate** » 16 Jan 2022, 02:52

I think you might need to give Cardone’s lawyers a call, the NJ AG might help , too.

Post by **kallekula** » 16 Jan 2022, 04:33

Wow that sounds really hairy! I would have parked the car immediately and called in the tow guy.

koolhandluke · Post by **koolhandluke** » 16 Jan 2022, 06:19

That sure sounds like something mechanically binding up. I would think if it were strictly a hydraulic problem(frozen moisture, etc.) you would be able to overcome that with brute force. It's been awhile, but I seem to recall fully seating the steering shaft to the splined shaft on the rack was a bit of a challenge in tight quarters. I would start by giving the steering shaft(u-joints, etc) a peek. An internal problem with your remanufactured rack could also be to blame. I sure would like to duplicate the condition in the garage before I yanked it out again...Steve

Post by **abscate** » 16 Jan 2022, 09:17

We had a couple of Cardone racks lock up a few years ago. Fcp pulled it from sales. I’ll try find thread

Bruno , can you let us know rack make and source please?

brunocerous · Post by **brunocerous** » 16 Jan 2022, 11:44

Yikes. That doesn’t sound good.

I had my local indie shop source and replace it with a Cardone remanufactured rack.

Post by **abscate** » 16 Jan 2022, 11:48

Jeff Hicks thread link

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=82135

Post by **foggydogg** » 16 Jan 2022, 15:46

Same thing happened to me, on a new-to-me 99V70 a few months ago. When I finally got the subframe and rack on the floor (a whole 'nuther sporting event), it had a Cardone rebuild sticker on it. Mine isn't back on the road yet, but the old one is useful for its core value.

Post by **abscate** » 16 Jan 2022, 17:41

Link to the fourth cardone rack locking up

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=78241&p=420347&hili ... ck#p420347