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Power steering symptoms turned out to be a worn out harmonic balancer 900 1993

posted by  Vladimir on  Sun Dec 25 16:36 CST 2016
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last visit: Sun Oct 5 18:40 CST 2014
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I just wanted to post this for the sake of saving someone some headache. My 1993 940 wagon began to exhibit the symptoms of "morning sickness" as the weather got colder. I thought the rack was going, which is strange at 179K miles. It was too cold to deal with it and I waited for an opportunity. However, one day the morning sickness turned into a permanent no PS and also the battery began to die in mid drive. I just barely made it to my driveway and coasted in. Next day was not so cold and I looked to find a harmonic balancer completely delaminated. The part attached tot he crank shaft was able to spin independently of the outer pulley part. I replaced the HB with an aftermarket Korean part (Pro Parts Sweden) and all the power steering issued were gone. The entire problem was in the harmonic balancer. So if anyone experiences stiff power steering in the morning and is thinking of replacing a rack or pump or fluid, first make sure your harmonic balancer is in good shape. the symptoms were very similar to "morning sickness", which usually suggests a bad rack or low fluid, etc.

--
Vladimir. '98 S70 base, 5-speed manual - his, '93 945 - hers








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    Power steering symptoms turned out to be a worn out harmonic balancer 900 1993

    posted by  ledfoot on  Wed Jan 18 04:44 CST 2017
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    last visit: Tue Oct 21 17:32 CST 2014
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    Great info to remember. I wonder why it didn`t come apart, maybe the alignment of the belts held it in place keeping it from going thru the radiator. All the Volvo`s I have owned has had the white line trick. I have seen the same trouble on Saab`s. I once had a power steering pump on a 940 that sounded just like a starter staying engaged in the flywheel and it would only happen when the temps fell below 40 degrees. It did not sound like the steering pump was cavitating. Once the pump was changed out there was never any more trouble. Its good to post things like this. Thanks Larry








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    Power steering symptoms turned out to be a worn out harmonic balancer 900 1993

    posted by  Steve on  Tue Jan 17 09:28 CST 2017
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    last visit: Fri Oct 24 07:16 CST 2014
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    One way to monitor this is to paint a white line across the harmonic balancer lamination. If it de-laminates, you'll be able to see it instantly. Wite-Out works great in this application.








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      Power steering symptoms turned out to be a worn out harmonic balancer 900 1993

      posted by  Vladimir on  Tue Jan 17 10:28 CST 2017
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      last visit: Sun Oct 5 18:40 CST 2014
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      Yes, I am aware of the white-out line trick. Have had that on my previous 940 wagon (that had almost 250K miles when it got rear-ended and totaled five years ago). It was fairly obvious that the harmonic balancer came undone in this case. It simply spun in two separate parts. It was not subtle. What was not so obvious is that I began to have power steering symptoms very much resembling the "morning sickness" that is well documented. I made this post for people in similar circumstances. If you think your car is exhibiting "morning sickness", one possibility is harmonic balancer coming undone. Honestly, it's much less bad than a bad steering rack. I was relieved to find out it was the pulley and not the steering components.
      --
      Vladimir. '98 S70 base, 5-speed manual - his, '93 945 - hers








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    Power steering symptoms turned out to be a worn out harmonic balancer 900 1993

    posted by  spook on  Mon Dec 26 12:58 CST 2016
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    last visit: Fri Oct 24 08:06 CST 2014
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    Dear Vladimir,

    Hope you're well. Thank you for a helpful post. Are the slots in the Korea=made harmonic balancer (crank pulley) as wide (from outer edge to the bolt hole) as the slots on the Volvo factory-orignal item?

    I ask, because I've seen aftermarket crank pulleys with slots too narrow to accept the Volvo tool, used to keep the pulley from moving, while the crank pulley's bolt is removed.

    Thanks for your help.

    Happy Holidays and a Good, Healthy New Year!

    Yours faithfully,

    Spook








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      Power steering symptoms turned out to be a worn out harmonic balancer 900 1993

      posted by  Vladimir on  Mon Jan 16 21:05 CST 2017
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      last visit: Sun Oct 5 18:40 CST 2014
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      That's a good question. I do not know. I will need to look tomorrow. I never paid attention to the slots. I still have the old pulley and will compare. So far the Korean-made pulley is working great and fit very well. It also looked very good, not like cheap Chinese part, but very high quality fit and finish.

      --
      Vladimir. '98 S70 base, 5-speed manual - his, '93 945 - hers







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