My 1991 240 within the past few days has been handling kind of strange. The steering seems looser than usual and not as responsive. When I am driving on the interstae or a long stretch of road, it feels like it is drifting and I am barely controling it. Sometimes feels like the rear end wants to go in another direction. Sounds crazy, but I was wondering if anyone could suggest a starting point for narrowing down this problem. Thanks. It has about 260,000 miles on it. The odometer stopped at 232,000.

Verify retaining hardware that secures the steering rack to the engine support member. The nuts securing the U-bolts that wrap around the steering rack can come loose.

Inspect the strut mounts. Failing strut mounts (bearing and/or bushing material) or really poor quality replacement strut mounts can give the driver a "wandering" quality to the steering. All aftermarket strut mounts blow. Only Volvo OEM strut mounts will do on any Volvo.

I fully inflate the tires on my 240s. While a harsher ride with less rolling resistance, does not induce causes wandering. All radials.

Unless you have failing tires as with tread separation and the like causes.

Lift the car and check front wheel bearing hub play. Wheel bearings not properly serviced (packed with clean grease and center castle nut at proper torque) can wear. The more worn the wheel bearing, the faster they wear.

Rear suspension failures on steering can include bushing failure. Very high mileage 240s can have rear wheel bearing failure.

Poorly installed and/or maintained suspension modifications can also cause steering and handling problems. You don't mention any suspension mods in your post.

Finally, inspect the steering column U-joints for stiffness and play.

My .03 pence speculation.

cheers,

TGIF Guy with pending milk run today (by Volvo 240!)
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240 strut mounts? Only Volvo OEM will do.

Thanks for all of your suggestions. I will begin working thru what you all have told me.

And check that your lug nuts have not loosened.

That would be my absolute first check...

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-Matt I ♥ my ♂

My first thought was tire pressure.
Thinking outside the box a bit...
I would also take a look at the Rear Torque rods. There have been reports of the Round section that holds the Bushings actually breaking Losing the function of one torque rod would get the rear axle shifting.
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'75 Jeep CJ5 345Hp ChevyPwrd, two motorcycles, '85 Pickup: The '89 Volvo is the newest vehicle I own. it wasn't Volvos safety , it was Longevity that sold me http://home.lyse.net/brox/TonyPage4.html http://cleanflametrap.com/tony/

I agree too. Assuming the tire PSI is okay I'd move onto the steering rack and front suspension. If it were my car I'd start by checking all the tie rods inner and outer. Take a look at the ball joints. Then I'd move onto the lower steering shaft u-joint where the rack bolts on to the steering shaft. Look for slop/looseness and corrosion in the u-joint. And the upper one too since you are there. Check the rack itself for play/excessive movement.

Must be in your suspension or steering rack, check for play in the inner and outer tie rods and the rear trailing arm bushings.
Dan

Although I agree..those things rarely fail suddenly. So, SJam, what have you changes recently? My guess is tire pressure or the amount of crap in your trunk.

If you just filled your tires to about 38-40#'s of pressure to save gas, that will greatly amplify steering looseness.

If you have 4 bags of dog food in the trunk that you do not normally carry around...that is again the trigger, though not likely the issue.