Hi guys – I posted a couple weeks ago about problems my wife’s 92 940 (172k). How I’m getting a front end shake at 50-65 mph, and how the normally heavy power steering likes to surprise you and “free up” on right hand turns. Just to summarize what I’ve done in the past year:
· new radius arm bushings / ball joints / strut inserts and shocks / new tires / front rotors (no shimmying in rotors when stopping)
What I’ve done in the past two weeks:
· new tie rod ends, bled power steering rack and replaced with new fluid, pulled apart steering U-joints in engine compartment (from firewall to rack – all joints were very free/smooth operating – I re greased them just the same)

SO>>>>>> not really much improvement after the last round of repairs. And one thing I’m noticing… on 60mph highway runs, when I’m making left hand sweeping turns, I DON’T have the vibration. Only on the RH sweeping turns to I get the vibration. And when I make right hand turns, this is when the steering “breaks free”.

The rack is not leaking at all. Nor is the pump. The pump sounds fine. Nothing out of the ordinary. As one of you guys stated on my last post, the pump either works or not. It shouldn’t care about left hand / right hand turns. So that leaves me with one thing – THE RACK…..

Because I figure I have two problems: (1) shake (2) power steering freeing up on RH turns. I didn’t want to go get an alignment until I replaced the rack….as this shouldn’t cause the power steering to free up. But, the rack shouldn’t be causing the front end shake, right??? What do you all think? Thanks guys – as always, your combined knowledge is a help to us all! Best regards, Chris

my last 740 had a knackered rack which leaked fluid out like mad, when the fluid got low it gave the same shake you have at about 60mph, when you filled up the fluid the shake went away for a while. I couldnt live with all that atf fluid on the ground and fitted a second hand rack which was very easy to do and never had a problem after that. Hope this bit of info helps

Jim and Chris - thanks. I will definitley check the rack mounting first before ordering a replacement. Thanks for the tip - I'll let you guys know what I find this weekend. Ubhi - LUCAS power steering fluid - that will be my next test - thanks for the tip. Steve - yep, I will definitely replace the rack if the above items don't work. I apppreciate all the great tips - as usual!

I'd second Chris' comment on the possibility that one side of the steering rack may be loose. I had a Reliant in which this happened. The steering in one direction was really strange but the other way was ok. All it took was a wrench on the rack mount bolt and all was fine.

One final thing (in case you haven't checked it)...

Look at the rack itself and make sure it is tightly mounted. I saw a Mazda with a loose rack, believe it or not, with similar symptoms.

It looks as though the rack is the only thing left you have not touched. According to the symptoms, sounds like new rack is indicated.

my steering will get very hard during cold weather but in one direction only. my mechanic said the seals inside are worn and the power steering fluid was black so he suggested replacing the rack. since i didnot want to put money into the car he flushed the old fluid and filled with LUCAS power steering fluid. he did this 3 months ago and since then tempratures have dropped to -25degrees c
and it works fine now no hard steering or noise.

i would say it is worth trying before putting a new rack

ubhi 92 960 329000km