All,

I have an exasperating issue. (Background) The power steering went out on my 2000 v70. I drove it for a couple of months thinking hey this is a great arm work out. Then one day while driving the car steering locked and would only allow me to turn to left. I had the car towed to my mechanic who replaced the rack and pinion.

Only the problem recurred, I towed it back, then mechanic replaced power steering pump.

And yet, intermittently, the problem recurs. Generally at low speeds, intermittently I feel feel tension when turning to right, and all of a sudden I won't be able to go to right at all. I could do a few things to correct. Pull the car over and wait awhile. Turn off car and work steering wheel back and forth.

My mechanic doesn't seem to understand the root of the problem other than just replacing parts. It is difficult because it is so intermittent. I was thinking maybe it is a malfunction of the mechanism that locks the wheel when the car is off and you turn wheel to left. But I am not even sure my v70 has this feature.

I apologize for this long rambling post. Perhaps one of you experts can give me some guidance before I have to let go of the car.

Sounds like you need a new mechanic!

The good news is that you might be able to fix this problem yourself. The steering locking up definitely sounds like a problem I had on my 90 240 and 95 850. It is a somewhat common problem on older Volvos. If I am correct, it is a steering shaft (column) u-joint seizing up. Those can seize intermittently as you described.

The steering shaft connects your steering wheel with the rack. The u-joints that connect the shaft to the rack get gunged up and rusty with age and exposure to the elements causing the steering to seize and have some other weird behavior.

There are 2 shaft u-joints. Typically, the lower one (connects to rack) seizes first so focus on that one. Find that u-joint, then using a can of WD-40 spray the u-joint liberally for a couple of minutes while rotating the steering lock to lock. This should fix it, but you might need to apply it a couple of times so be patient. Later you can also follow up with an application of penetrating oil if you wish.

If this is indeed the problem, the worst case scenario is replacement of the offending u-joint.

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Will I buy another Volvo??? We'll see....

WD-40 isn't a lubricant. It may wash out the gunge but if it works, use some spray lube after it dries off or get some grease around the joints.

WD-40 worked on my 850 without lubricant. I mentioned following up with penetrating oil.
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Will I buy another Volvo??? We'll see....

Thank you so much for the feedback! I'm looking forward to a potential DIY repair! Will report back....