This may be an odd one - with the car standing still, brakes applied, turning the steering wheel causes the front wheels to vibrate violently.

This actually happened with my mechanic at the wheel driving the car out of the garage after routine maintenance.

He took it back in, and put it on the lift. It only happens with the tires on the ground and the brakes applied.

The shop mechanic said the rack is firmly attached, so it's not that. It's almost as if there's a flapping valve in the hydraulic line, but what do I know?

They were stumped for the moment, and as it was after 5:00 the day before Thanksgiving, I left the car there for them to look at over the weekend or on Monday.

My mechanic thinks it may be some bronze bushings at each end of the rack (if I recall what he said correctly). Does that make any sense?

Has anyone seen anything like this, or better yet have any idea what is causing it?
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Charles Grammer - '93 245 (140K), '96 850 (170K)

Same exact thing happened to me for the first time just yesterday... I've known I've got a leak in the PS high pressure line, and I knew it was low yesterday morning. As I was pulling into the store to pick up more, I got that same shudder. Topped up the fluid, and it remained. Got to work and turned the wheel lock to lock a few times (shuddering of course), later that day out running errands the shudder gradually went away, and it's been fine since.

I'll keep a closer eye on my PS fluid until I can get that line fixed. And thereafter too...

Is there a proper way to bleed the system? I guess mine just bled itself after a few miles...

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-Matt I ♥ my ♂

Bleed the power steering? I guess you would just do a flush, which is an easy process I think is described in the 700/900 FAQ.
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Andy in St. Paul. '89 244 160K mi, '91 745 209K, '91 745 213K

Mechanic found a bulletin - air introduced into the system by moving the wheel by hand and not the steering wheel. Bled system, should be fine.
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Charles Grammer - '93 245 (140K), '96 850 (170K)

I had a similar condition in my son's 1993 after replacing the front
rotors and pads. It eventually disappeared on its own.
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-Cool Volvo- 1982 240 4 Spd OD w/ 238K, 1989 240 5 Spd w/ 227K. Past proud owner of 1966 122, 1968 144, 1970 145, 1972 144, 1980 245

Good mechanic......some would claim you needed a new rack.
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84, 242GLTi, 167K, 4+OD, still in rehab; 89, 245 DL, 312K, M 47, daily driver; 93, 245, auto, 167K ; and other toys.

I had the same problem 2 months ago. I checked the belts nothing. I took off the splash guard and took a look at the tie rod ends. One had popped out but not all the way.

Ya never know.

Sounds like the power steering belt is slipping. Clean the existing one with lacquer thinner or buy a new one - don't overtighten a polished belt.