I bought a my03 from orig owner 211000km. Dealer scheduled service all done. Flew through safety inspection except for no power steering. Turning wheel left a hiss can be heard but not to the right. Dealer said it was not variable assist and the steer shaft ujoint was not binding. They did not disconnect it from the rack to test it. Told me I needed a pump. Had my local wrench replace the pump (1/3 price of dealer), fluid, and sadly no change. He told me it must be the rack. Damn. Then I went to my local private Volvo wrench to order the rack. He said there was no way they (dealer) could test the ujoint without taking it apart. Ordered a rack with the idea that it could be returned if we found the joint was bad. This is my question before I proceed...what about the hiss at my feet? Is there anything else I should check before diving into the 5 hours of expensive labour?
I have read and read and read on this board learned sooo much. Im delighted such resources are out there as they've certainly changed since my '87 740 wagon!
Thanks for any ideas....
Ted

Check out this post, very interesting:

http://www.brickboard.com/AWD/volvo/967430/S80/power_steering_pump_noise.html


Then look at the steering rack and look for the 'ZF' label??

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My name is Klaus and I am a V♂lv♂holic

Steering U joints can be freed by spraying them with a penetrating oil. Most times, the binding is just momentary or part way through the arc.

I am at a loss when it comes to the 'hissing' noise. That should be investigated first, like where it comes from - with the hood up and listening from the engine bay.
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My name is Klaus and I am a V♂lv♂holic

Klaus, You mention penetrating oil. I am finding that the best penetrate is a 50/50 mixture of brake fluid and synthetic oil. I sprayed everything I had on my steering U-joint and nothing worked until I tiered this mixture. I keep it in one of those pump oil cans. Also the oil provides lasting lubrication and rust inhibitor.

The hiss seems to originate on th left side of the steering column, almost to the firewall. It ca be heard outside slightly as well. Would my rack be a zf or koyo? I'm trying to source one myself and keep getting asked that question. Thanks