Twenty years of Volvos and I'm still finding reasons to query the general population of the board.

First time for this noise. Steering is fine on center and for about fifteen degrees either side. Returns to center normally, no greater effort to either side (rack seems okay in other words). Cranking the wheel all the way to either side loads the pump and we get "the whine". Fluid is full. However, at two or three different places in the turning radius of the wheel we get a groaning creak which seems to actually be coming from the steering wheel hub. This is a 91 245 SE. Sound "feels" like it comes from behind the airbag. I have lubed both column u-joints thoroughly, no change. However, if I stop the car (engine running) and run the wheel back and forth through the whole range four or five times, the noise and the harshness disappear. Sometimes for a day, sometimes for a week....then it comes back. Doing the "exercise" while the car is rolling does not solve the problem, only doing it with the car stopped. I know I could be feeling something that is being transmitted by the column from elsewhere in the front end. What can cause this???? Examination of suspension and lack of clunks and rattles indicate all the bushings are very sound. Front anti-sway bar bushings are okay and have been doused with silicone. Strut top mountings? I've never known them to "heal" like this.

'83, 91 and 91 SE White Wagons, 97 855, 90 240, host of hopped-up Datsuns, who knows what else lurks in the dark of the garage?

Thanks,
DS