Volvo AWD 850 Forum

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New 850! 850

posted by  someone claiming to be Matt Hogan on  Tue May 20 16:43 CST 2008 [RELATED]

Hi - back on here after a long hiatus, ex-240 owner, lived in the city for a long time, getting married, and finally needed a car again for the soon-to-be wife to get to work. Picked up a '96 850 GLT wagon, 106k miles, mint inside and out, for $3k.

Only thing I'm a little worried about - when I looked at it last week the steering was stiff, they agreed to take care of it. We picked it up this afternoon, they'd replaced the power steering rack and pump, but not being "volvo guys" they weren't sure how to fine tune it/bleed the system. I take it out for a spin and it feels about the same as it did before - it's smooth at some points, stiff at others, same on right turns as it is on left turns, so I'm fairly sure it's a pressure/calibration thing. I know they actually -did- do the work, I know I'm not being lied to and can see the new parts in the car.

The mechanic mentioned something about needing to "break in" the new rack - never heard of that before but I've been away from the game a little while! What could be causing my stiff steering - air in the system, something else? Help me relax about my new baby!








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    New 850! 850

    posted by  someone claiming to be fixit2003 on  Fri May 23 02:57 CST 2008 [RELATED]

    Have you tried changing the position of the steering wheel? In and out. Up and down. Does it make any difference?








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    New 850! 850

    posted by  someone claiming to be Matt Hogan on  Thu May 22 04:18 CST 2008 [RELATED]

    Ok - went out for a while last night in the car... tried the hard turns all the way left and right about 15 times, doesn't seem to make any difference. At this point am I right in suspecting the u-joint as opposed to a rack/pump issue? The steering is hardest at 9, 11, 1, 3, oclock, etc, and is smooth inbetween those points. Any thoughts?








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      New 850! 850

      posted by  will rehsper on  Thu May 22 08:09 CST 2008
      Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
      last visit: Tue Jul 3 14:55 CST 2012
      [RELATED]

      Welcome back to Volvo ownership. For the money, the 850 is a great car. Very much a different beast compared to the 240!

      The u-joint is a possibility, but from what you're posting about the dealer you bought it from, I smell something fishy. A new PS rack is essentially a precision piece of equipment. There should not be any "break-in" period where the pinion wears into the rack. Did they install a brand new rack and pump? That's not a small chunk of change to spend on a $3K car (and not an easy install either).

      After doing all that turning how was the fluid level in the PS resevoir? Perhaps it had air in the system that needed worked out? This isn't the first time this forum has seen PS issues. Do some searching here for a similar problem (hopefully with a solution).

      If you do take it back to the guys you bought it from, I doubt they will be keen to replace that u-joint after the hassle they went through to replace the rack. You may need to be extra persuasive to get some action.

      Best of luck to you and the wife-to-be!

      -Will
      --
      850 / Mini








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    New 850! 850

    posted by  KlausC on  Tue May 20 17:23 CST 2008
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    last visit: Fri Oct 24 10:15 CST 2014
    [RELATED]

    The PS system is about the same as the 240. It is self bleeding. Check the steering column knuckles to make sure they are not binding up.
    Then get a front end alignment at a reputable shop.

    Nice to get a new rack :)

    Klaus
    --
    The 164 has a new home, all I am left with are a 95 854T and a 98 V70R :)








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      New 850 power steering 850

      uid 44151's pic
      posted by  woodsytf on  Wed May 21 00:49 CST 2008
      Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
      last visit: Fri Dec 27 10:02 CST 2013
      [RELATED]

      i think you just turn the steering wheel from lock to lock, full left/right a time or two and with proper fluid level you should be all set. be sure to check for leaks or drips. never heard of "breaking it in" but i am new to Volvos.

      good luck!
      --
      -woodsytf '95 850 wagon 160k








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        New 850 power steering 850

        posted by  someone claiming to be Matt Hogan on  Wed May 21 02:40 CST 2008 [RELATED]

        Sounds good, I'll try the turns right and left tonight when the little lady gets home. Anything else I should check out that might not seem obvious to a 240 convert? I feel like I stepped 50 years into the future with this car!








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          New 850 power steering 850

          posted by  KlausC on  Wed May 21 04:12 CST 2008
          Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
          last visit: Fri Oct 24 10:15 CST 2014
          [RELATED]

          Nice car isn't it? But no personallity like the 240s!

          The front wheel drivers take a lot of abuse on the front suspension and sway bar end links. When you replace the end links, get IPD - so much better than OEM.

          Don't be afraid to "drive" this car, it is willing and requires a good throttling once in a while :)

          Klaus
          --
          The 164 has a new home, all I am left with are a 95 854T and a 98 V70R :)








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            New 850 power steering 850

            posted by  someone claiming to be Matt Hogan on  Wed May 21 05:47 CST 2008 [RELATED]

            After browing old posts I'm wondering if I have more of a u-joint issue than a power steering issue. The steering is tougher at certain points, not just all around - do I need to maybe replace or lubricate the joint? Is this a hard job, and how would I check it out?

            thanks guys!








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              New 850 power steering 850

              posted by  someone claiming to be fixit2003 on  Wed May 21 06:20 CST 2008 [RELATED]

              Nothing to lubricate or grease. Did you run a Carfax on it to see if it was ever in any front end collision?








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                New 850 power steering 850

                posted by  someone claiming to be Matt Hogan on  Wed May 21 07:05 CST 2008 [RELATED]

                Car is clean as a whistle, only a few little dings and dents here and there. Carfax agreed, no collisions at all. I might be worrying too much, won't get to try the wheel/turn thing until tonight, just want to make sure if there is a u-joint issue I find it NOW while the dealer is still on the hook!








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                New 850 power steering 850

                posted by  someone claiming to be Matt Hogan on  Wed May 21 07:05 CST 2008 [RELATED]

                Car is clean as a whistle, only a few little dings and dents here and there. Carfax agreed, no collisions at all. I might be worrying too much, won't get to try the wheel/turn thing until tonight, just want to make sure if there is a u-joint issue I find it NOW while the dealer is still on the hook!








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                  New 850 power steering 850

                  posted by  someone claiming to be Matt Hogan on  Sun May 25 01:29 CST 2008 [RELATED]

                  Had the local volvo guys check it out - it needs a new steering joint. The dealer is going to cover the repair and let me have the volvo guys do it - pretty excited!







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