Hi all,

Been a while since I have posted. The S70 has been running well. My wife now drives it and complained of noisy steering about a week ago. I have lubricated the plastic bushing on the steering shaft in front of the brake pedal. That quieted the inside noise but then I noticed that the fluid in the resevoir was foamy. The fluid would then go back to its normal consistency. Air was obviously getting into the system so there must be a leak.

I have read some posts related to this on the BB and some recommended Lucas Power Steering with Stop Leak. So I bought a bottle of the stuff. I used a turkey baster to draw out the old fluid in the resevoir and filled it with the Lucas. The foaming did subside but the noise (groans) increased. Do I just let the Lucas run for a while and then drain it in order to refill with regular power steering fluid, or do I leave the full-strength Lucas in there? Or is there a percentange combination, say 50/50? This is confusing to me. Any advice?

George

Because the Lucal has a cleaning additive, I would leave it in there for a while and let it do it's job. Then do a complete flush using synthetic PS steering fluid, not ATF.

BTW, the bottom of the shaft where it goes through the firewall has an 'upgraded' bushing available from the dealer if yu want to fix the shaft noise permanently.

Klaus
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Did you do your Random Act of Kindness today?

ATF is the required power steering fluid on 850's. I assume it is the same for the S70's? Consult your owner's manual.

I used Mobil 1 ATF with good results.

I think it is a mistake in the factory manual that says to use ATF in the power steering system.

No, I don't think so. Just checked my Haynes manual and it too says use "ATF or equivalent". I doubt Volvo would make such a blunder.

BTW - I switched my fluid to Mobil 1 synthetic ATF over a year ago. The seals have completely stopped leaking since the switch and there are no other issues...

+1 it's not a mistake.

KlausC is a big fan of switching to synthetic Power Steering fluid, but ATF is a great hydraulic fluid, and it's both readily available and available in many prices grades.

I have fully synthetic DEX-III in mine. I have a leak in my system where the hard lines are rusting through, but have no seal leaks or noises of any kind.


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1998 V70 AWD->FWD->AWD Turbo 220k+

Thanks.

I will let the Lucas do its job and then do a complete flush with synthetic ps fluid. Any recommendations?

Wow. The dealer has an upgraded bushing. It might be worth the cost, otherwise it's a once-a-year, ten minute, rag and sylglide (sp) fix.

Take care.

First, I would make sure there are no leaks. What's the condition of the resevoir hose? I've seen them leak.

I'm not sure what to do about the Lucas. Using the turkey baster method, I changed the fluid in my PS resevoir over to Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF. That gradually cured the leaky seals in my rack. No leaks now.

Unless the Lucas needs to be left in for while I would consider a total flush and replace with synthetic ATF.