Hi:
I'm second owner of my really clean 1977 242. Has 192K miles. Standard, non-power steering, which has always been fine with me. (less complicated) I've always known it steers easier with good tires at proper inflation. I drive it about 500 to 900 miles each summer. Steering lately seems harder. At it's age, I'm sure steering rack might be happy to get some fresher grease. Or something. My question here is: what do all of you do to maintain these steering systems???????? I read some pull the boots on the racks, (if they are still pliable), and turn steering lock-to-lock, applying fresh grease to any exposed rack teeth seen. Haven't tried it. I'd really like to hear suggestions. It's a really nice car and I try to care for it. Thanks, Dennis in E WA state.

Appears Brickboard was down for 3 or 4 days. Back now, so..... thanks again. I think I can deal with things based on these replies. My steering is not terrible, although I think it could be better, but it all started me thinking that maybe I ought to look into helping it out with, "doing something." Now I have ideas.

Appears Brickboard was down for 3 or 4 days. Back now, so..... thanks again. I think I can deal with things based on these replies. My steering is not terrible, although I think it could be better, but it all started me thinking that maybe I ought to look into helping it out with, "doing something." Now I have ideas.

there is no regular maint for any rack, ps or manual. only during rebuild any thing gets lube. 1161001 is the grease used on the rack teeth and internals.

it may be the ujoint at the bottom of the column at the rack where the problem is. it can only be replaced, but both the early and late joints have been nla for years. if you can look for used, your stuck with 75-78 with the 14mm shaft. the 79-up racks have a 19mm shaft.

Thank you. That confirms my suspicions. (ha) I do wonder still about the idea of pulling back the boots and seeing if adding grease to the exposed portion of the rack would be a step in the right direction. Left alone, I guess nothing gets hurt, - steering merely becomes more difficult. Last option.......I did save another manual rack years ago and it's been sitting inside, dry, for a long time. Question might be......were the years 75-78 the only years manual steering was offered? Oh....1161001 grease is evidently a Volvo part number.

79 and later can have a manual rack, but the numbers are lower than the 75-78 racks.

i brought up the 79 up racks because of shaft size, not manual or power.

What do you mean by more difficult steering? Stiffer? Binding up occasionally? Hard to turn? Etc…

Following up on what Porkface said about the steering column lower u-joint. That u-joint can become problematic with age. I experienced issues with that u-joint on both my 90 240 and 95 850. Yes, they used a Power Steering system not a manual. However, my guess is they use the same or similar u-joint as your car.

My point is that those steering column lower u-joints can be cleaned and lubricated (to some degree) on the outside where rust and road grime can build up. Doing this can restore your steering feel to normal. Much easier and cheaper than replacing either the steering column u-joint or particularly the rack!

Pretty simple - I used WD-40 but there are better lubricants. However, the WD-40 will work for awhile if your issue is indeed the u-joint. Then you can follow-up with a better lubricant.

Access the u-joint and spray liberally for about 5 minutes while slowly rotating the steering wheel to access as many areas and angles of the u-joint. You might need to repeat this a second time. Then you are good to go for awhile! It needed to be repeated about once a year on my 850.

Don’t know if this your problem, but an easy and cheap fix if it is!!

--
Will I buy another Volvo??? We'll see....

If it was my car I would jack the front and check/try to locate the problem.

Follow the above jwalker suggested solution.


On my two cars I filled the bottom U joint void space with lubricant grease. Then I wrap 3 layers of polythene sheet with tie wraps at each end of the U joint.

I start holding the polythene on the steering column with electrical tape. My wife was helping by turning the steering wheel. Lubricated for life.

My thanks to you, porkface and others. I do have the Volvo Green Book segment for Steering 1975-80. And I do see in it a u-joint at the bottom of the steering column/shaft. It appears to be splined on upper end and a separate piece from the rest of the assembly. I appreciate the tips. Also, years and years ago I picked up two manual steering racks. They both have been sitting inside ever since. Dusty and dry I'm sure, but now armed with your info I can inspect them and see if I have one that is a match. Then go from there. This is good. I'm 81 and sometimes wonder if I ought to sell my '77, (also have a really nice '89 244 we got new, and a '67 122 wagon that needs fuel system help). All live inside. My own age is no longer in my favor. Still, --- driving the '77 yesterday again, all original paint, still shines, .... darn it's a good old friend.