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V70 Steering Sudden Jerk V70-XC70

posted by  Mike91 on  Thu Jan 30 20:06 CST 2020
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last visit: Wed Sep 17 19:52 CST 2014
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1998 V70 NA 5 speed 150K miles

My son lives in another city and borrowed the car for a few weeks. This evening he brought the car home and said that he experienced occasional problems with the steering.

He was driving in the left lane on the interstate and suddenly the steering wheel jerked by itself to the left. He didnt lose control but it was enough to move the car onto the left side rumble strip of the highway. A similar unexplained steering jerk happened a couple of other times in the past 3 weeks.

The problem didnt happen today during his 100 mile trip home. I just finished driving the car at 50-60 mph for 15 miles and didnt notice any obvious problem.

The front suspension is in good condition. Struts, spring seats (heavy duty XC90 version) and inner tie rods were replaced when I bought the car about 50,000 miles ago. Sway bar bushings and end links are good. Michelin tires are new and well balanced. Steering has no slop and normally doesnt pull to either side.

The steering rack is original and has no leaks, but I doubt the PS fluid has ever been flushed.

Has anyone ever experienced a sudden steering jerk like this ? So far it has happened very infrequently, but it could be a dangerous condition.

Thanks,

Mike







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    V70 Steering Sudden Jerk V70-XC70

    posted by  jwalker on  Fri Jan 31 05:18 CST 2020
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    last visit: Fri Jun 6 08:39 CST 2014
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    Could be the steering shaft u-joints. One could be occasionally seizing up. Usually the lower one. These can be cleaned and lubed by spraying WD-40 into the joint for a few minutes while rotating the steering lock to lock. Try to hit the joint at various angles so it can get in to the joint to clear corrosion, road salt and grime, rust etc.

    My 95 850 didn’t do that but it wouldn’t return to center on its own sometimes. My 240 was more scary. It would get momentarily “stuck” and not move!
    --
    Will I buy another Volvo??? We'll see....








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      V70 Steering Sudden Jerk V70-XC70

      posted by  KlausC on  Fri Jan 31 10:36 CST 2020
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      last visit: Fri Oct 24 10:15 CST 2014
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      Because the car is going in a straight line' when it happens, I was going to ask about the tie rod on the left hand side. A small dip in the road could have that effect if the cover is cracked and the ball corroded.

      Jack up the front and check both sides for play.
      --
      Keeping it running is better than buying new







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