Hi,

the steering of my 240'000km Volvo S40 feels rather loose especially at high speed. I've yet the whole front suspension ie dampers/shocks, strut mounts, antiroll bar drop links, front control arms with balljoint and I will soon change both inner and outer tie rod ends. However it seems that there is some play in the steering rack itself.

I have a mechanical DVD from Volvo that explains how to adjust the steering gear pre-tension on pinion. Do you know what it means?

It is said that to perform this adjustment, the steering gear must be removed however I'd like to know if this step is really essential or if it is possible to do it with the rack still on the car just by disconnecting the steering column from the rack pinion shaft?

See the image below for the steps mentionned on the Volvo DVD

Do you understand what this adjustment will do and whether it can be done with the rack still on the car or not? What else may cause a loose steering feel when all the parts have been changed and the alignment is correct? (Tires are OK too and both winter and summer tires give the same loose feel on highway even with the new balljoints)?

Thanks