Symptoms
"loose" steering, vibration, pulling to left, and leaking fluid- safe to say I have a bad steering rack?

No responses?

The leaking fluid points to the rack.

Your other symptoms could come from many sources:

Wheel balance
Alignment
Worn tie rod ends
wheel bearing wear
etc.

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Bruce Young, '93 940-NA (current), 240s (one V8), 140s, 122s, since '63.

Thank You Bruce,
Steering is a part of the car I have very little experience with (mechanically), I've read different forums w/ no certain recommendation for rack remanufacturers and the prices vary widely from $150-$350, through the parts suppliers I use regularly. I spoke to the folks at Jorgen Auto yesterday, and Their's is ~$200, for a warranted rebuilt OEM product. Any experience with this? is it all the same? I'm thinking because this work requires an alignment I'll just leave it to a mechanic (not because I lack the skills but because summer is almost over, and I have a 18mo. old that I'd rather spend an afternoon with than under the car. I have a great local tire shop/mechanic that does this work- does it make sense to take it to him rather than my Volvo Mechanic where the alignment work can been done at the same location?

I have installed 3 racks from Jorgen and would not hesitate to recommend them. As for alignment requirements, you can avoid the need if (assuming your Toe adjustment is correct now) by taking a reference measurement* on each side, with wheels in the straight ahead position. Toe is the ONLY alignment factor in play on a rack replacement.

* Measure from the inner edge of each Tie Rod End stud to a marked reference spot on the car body. Both sides should measure about the same, but that's not critical as long as you record the distance. Then, with the rack installed, connect the tie rod ends onto your new tie rods (that come with the rack) and adjust each side to your recorded dimensions.

Remember the tie rod lock nuts when you're done.

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Bruce Young, '93 940-NA (current), 240s (one V8), 140s, 122s, since '63.