Greetings,

I've ran into a strange steering problem with a 1995 960 Wagon. Never experienced a problem like this before.

If you were to just take the car for a drive... You'd think nothing was wrong. the car's alignment is almost perfect, and there are no steering noises I can notice. I dont even feel any play in the rack! The car feels quite solid when it's working as designed.

However... if you make a sharp turn (U-turns seem to work best) you will hear a noise, most like a pop or clunk. It's not really loud, I didnt even notice it much the first time or two it happened. but it's always there when the problem happens.

after that pop, when you straighten out from the turn, the alignment is quite far off. The car pulls hard to the drivers side, you gotta turn the wheel 45 degrees to the right to go straight, and you can feel it pulling.

Another thing that happens when the alignment is out, is a nasty wollow... When it was out of alignment, i took a speed bump going ~35mph (no other cars were around at this point so I was fairly brazen) and the resulting wallow gave me the impression I was about to loose control. It felt much like the shock absorber wasnt even connected, as it was very bouncy after the bump.

any ideas?
I hope this isn't the steering rack. that'd be more expensive than i'm hoping for :(

Thanks for any suggestions!

Hi ntaylor512,

How many miles on your 95 965?

How fast are you making those tight u-turns, slow or with some speed?

Does it only occur to one side or both?

I'm just curious, why in the hell would you take a speed bump at 35 mph?, especially when it felt like it was out of alignment. Sounds like you were mad at the car?

I recommend jacking up the front of the car (one side at a time), put your hands on the front and back of the tire and see if you can move the tire side to side. If there is play, see if the bellows on the rack is moving with the tire. If it is, you may need to replace the rack, (if not, see if the tie rod ends have play). It could be worn lower control arm busings as well but I would bet it's the rack (since it sounds like it only happens after being turned to full rack).
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1998 S90 062,925 1995 964 145,750

110k

A normal U-Turn. what anyone else would do when they desire to change direction. maybe 5 mph. I thought it might have been traction control being screwy, so I tried breaking the back end loose but that didn't help anything.

road hump might be a better description than speed bump - regardless 35mph isnt much over this critter, i've taken the same sort thing 50+ in 240s..

regardless, if this sort of thing is possible from a lower control arm bushing failure, that's probably the issue. I looked at them and they are obviously not in good shape! It would appear the passenger side bushing is literally cracked.

ack! Those don't look like fun to repair... it would look like they require a press to repace... ah well.

-nathan

We had our front lower control arm bushings replaced at 122,358 on our 96 964. Several folks on this forum have done it themselves and can offer you the expertise. Yes it requires a press. As I recall it wasn't that expensive to have it done at our independent Volvo shop.

Cheers,

--
1998 S90 062,925 1995 964 145,750

I think you definitely need to have the bushings inspected, and the balljoints (to see if one is loose or has a problem).

It doesn't really sound as if it's a steering rack problem, but like token ring man said, it does sound as if it is a bushing or lower suspension problem. That would also explain the wallowing.
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Chris Herbst, near Chicago.

Maybe you disloacted the large rubber doughnut at the rear of the lower control arm. They are glued in and may heve been weak before you abused your car. ;>)

Check them out. Also your ball joints.
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Warren Bain - '99 V70GLT G-Valve > 70K mi, '96 965 >110Kmi Wifemobile near Manassas Va.. Check the 700/900 FAQ via the 'features' pull down menu.