There are a couple of problems with shortening the steering knuckles to gain quicker steering. The first is that these parts are forged. Any attempt to weld forged steel parts requires special welding equipment and processes in order to maintain the strength of the part. Normal welding techniques will result in embrittlement of the forging and a tendency to fracture under shock loads.

The second problem is that the length of the steering knuckles is critical to the steering geometry. When you turn the wheels, the inside wheel turns more than the outside wheel. This is necessary because the turning radius of the inside wheel is much smaller than the outside wheel because it is closer to the center of the turning circle by the width of the car. If the inside wheel did not turn more than the outside wheel, one of the wheels would be skidding sideways over the pavement every time that you turn. And this would cause a decrease in traction on the front wheels during turns resulting in 'push' or understeer on cornering. This would definitely be counterproductive on a car intended for sport handling. Since there is little adjustment available on the McPhereson strut type suspension that Volvo uses, the only acceptable (IMHO) method of quicker steering with the existing front suspension design would be a diffferent ratio rack.
Volvo Club of America