Hey all,

I've got an 84 240 that has had excessive "road feel" for a while now. You can usually feel the bumps and cracks in the road much more than you should, through the steering wheel.

Most these vibrations feel like they're coming from the drivers side.

Looking under the car I found a quite damaged boot on the drivers side - Nasty gash on the underside and it's cracked too! Why didnt I notice this before? must have been to busy with everything else.

I've checked all the usual stuff to eliminate the steering "feel" - Strut mounting, wheel bearings, brake system, bushings, sway bar mounting, subframe bolt tightness, etc.. All checks out.

Everything else up front aside from the rack is really tight. No rust, all new bushings, shocks 1 year old, entire brake system is 2 months old, sway bar is 1 year old. I've checked the tightness of every bolt, nut, bushing, and other mounting device up front.

I know I have to replace this boot.. That part is very obvious.

Is there a way I can test the steering rack or tie rods for play or looseness?

Could this torn boot have damaged my steering rack and now it needs to be swapped?

Thanks for any input - This is one area of volvo's I have never needed to mess with, therefore do not know much about. I think I'll do the diagnosis (if possible) and let a shop swap the rack (if need be) as it will require an alignment...

Nathan