The 240 I just got has a weird steering problem. I'm almost positive it's out of alignment. It drives perfectly straight. My brother thinks it's the rack going out but they never seem to fail unless they start leaking, and this one doesn't leak. Here's the problem.
Turning right seems OK but requires a little arm power to return it to center.
Turning left feels "lumpy?" and will not return to center on it's own unless I use some arm power. I grabbed the front wheels and yanked them left/right horizontally to check for play in the tie-rods. They seem OK. Top to bottom on the right side has about 1/8" to 1/4" play vertically. Could this be a caster problem. Maybe a ball joint going out? Should I take it to an alignent shop?
I'm worried they will make up some problems so they could charge me a small fortune.
Any ideas?
Ben

I second the vote for the Steering Column U-joints.

Be advised that if you take the Ball Joint off, you are likely to lose the Camber setting on that strut, due to the "slop" in the 3 control arm bolts.

Top to bottom on the right side has about 1/8" to 1/4" play vertically. Could this be a caster problem. Maybe a ball joint going out?

That does sound excessive. Maybe really loose/worn wheel bearings or possibly the BJ, which could affect caster (bottom front-to-rear play). There is no caster adjustment per se, as it is built in to the BJ mounts.

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

Sounds like the right side ball joint. It is easy to remove (about 7 bolts)then you can check it to be sure. If it tracks straight, the toe-in/toe-out alignment might be Ok. You can check this with a tape measure; the fronts of the tire should be 1/16" to 1/8" closer together than the backs of the tires. Measure inside to inside at the 3 and 9 o'clock position. How does the tire wear look; even all the way across? If so, the camber is probably ok. Caster can't be adjusted. jp

Boy, I'd sure take a look at the steering column universal joints.

Jack up the front end and turn the wheel back and forth. Still "lumpy"? Okay, now take any sort of spray lube and liberally douse those joints. Any better? If so, you've found your problem.

Thanks, I'll try this first. I don't want to take the front suspension apart.
Ben
P.S.
The front tires were well worn especially on the sides. One even had some tread separation. I replaced them. This is why I thought it may be out of alignment.