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Replace steering gear or inner tie rod 700 1990

posted by berlis on Thu Jul 11 21:02 CST 2013
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last visit: Thu Oct 23 15:40 CST 2014

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760GLT (238k miles) failed state's safety inspection. Tech noticed wet driver side bellow (I was aware of the sight leak and have been monitoring it). Shop offered to replace a "seal" at a cost about $280. Declined the offer and put car on stands when I got it home. Noticed a wiggle when twisting the tire by grasping it at 3 and 9 o'clock positions. It seems the source of movement is under the driver's side bellow.

I had the entire rack and pinion replaced at 173k miles with an aftermarket. Label in engine bay says (a 3 in lower right corner of label) original rack is a ZF, but the replacement is likely a CAM/TRW design judging from the small size of bellow end where the inner tie rod passes through. Bellow identified as a TRW part. My repair invoice of the past replacement suggests that the manufacturer was Cardone.

I'd rather replace the inner tie rod if that would repair the leak and the wiggle than replace the entire rack and pinion. I've never done rack and pinion repair/replacement and am unfamiliar with the design or how it might leak. I have researched Haynes (700s), FAQ 700/900, archives and Bentley (240s) for replacement of the unit. It was YouTube that gave me the notion that a inner tie rod replacement might be the better approach than the whole rack and pinion unit.

So, I'm seeking opinions on which approach might solve the wiggle and the leak. This car is by backup to a 240 when it is down for upkeep. And the state is giving me 55 more days to return for the makeup inspection.

For the fun of Volvos,
Mike
--
'92 245DL, '90 760 GLT

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Replace steering gear or inner tie rod 700 1990

posted by berlis on Sat Jul 13 09:29 CST 2013
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last visit: Thu Oct 23 15:40 CST 2014

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If I decide to replace the rack and pinion, should I also replace the hoses? Their condition is unknown to me at this point.

For the fun of Volvos,
Mike
--
'92 245DL, '90 760 GLT

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Replace steering gear or inner tie rod 700 1990

posted by jwalker on Sat Jul 13 18:32 CST 2013
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last visit: Fri Jun 6 08:39 CST 2014

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At a minimum, replace the hose that runs between the pump and the reservoir. They have been known to leak.

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Replace steering gear or inner tie rod 700 1990

posted by jwalker on Fri Jul 12 07:13 CST 2013
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last visit: Fri Jun 6 08:39 CST 2014

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You could try flushing the rack and replacing the fluid with synthetic. That stopped a minor leak in my 855's rack seals almost 3 years ago. The leak has not returned...:)

This, however, will not fix the wiggle. The wiggle is likely from a loose inner or outer tie rod.

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Replace steering gear or inner tie rod 700 1990

posted by jerryc on Fri Jul 12 11:43 CST 2013
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last visit: Wed Oct 8 21:28 CST 2014

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Can you say exactly how you flushed it? I have used the turkey baster method but wonder if there's a better way.
I've read several times that syn stopped leaks, in racks and motors, so this is interesting. Of course I've also read that syn Made leaks, in motors anyway.

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Replace steering gear or inner tie rod 700 1990

posted by jwalker on Fri Jul 12 14:52 CST 2013
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last visit: Fri Jun 6 08:39 CST 2014

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I used the turkey baster method on my 850. I remember reading posts here about a more thorough flushing method. Don't remember the exact procedure, but IIRC it goes something like this. Loosen PS reservoir hose, then turn the steering from stop to stop to empty the fluid into a bucket, but stop before the pump runs dry. Then refill with synthetic. Since I'm a little shakey on this method I suggest doing a search before trying it.

Regarding leaks caused by synthetics in engines, racks etc: Synthetics cause seals to leak worse initially because they are cleaning grunge buildup left by conventional fluids on the seals. This process can take a few months. My 850's rack seals leaked worse at first but then the leaks gradually disappeared...:)

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Replace steering gear or inner tie rod 700 1990

posted by jerryc on Thu Jul 11 23:14 CST 2013
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last visit: Wed Oct 8 21:28 CST 2014

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I've done rack swaps and just did inner tie rods. It was easier than I expected. However, it won't affect the leak. That's the rack.

The inners, turn the steering wheel so the inner is way out, then you pull back the boot. Unscrew the inner, I used a pipe wrench as it had no flats; put the new one on, replace the boot...
All this of course takes for granted that you remove the outer end from the spindle. I took the inner/outer to the vise, made sure to leave the locknut in place, and unscrewed the outer/put on the inner up to the locknut so the distance was the same, so toe is pretty close.

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Replace steering gear or inner tie rod 700 1990

posted by Volvo From Heck on Fri Jul 12 05:08 CST 2013
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last visit: Mon Oct 13 20:56 CST 2014

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As jerryc pointed out--changing the inner joint will not affect the fluid leak--that's the function of the seals at the rack ends--no simple task to change. A rebuilt rack will come with new inner joints so that move will solve both problems. If budget is a problem a dry and tight rack from a p-n-p would be the way I'd go. A rack swap is pretty straight forward--there's been a thread recently covering the topic of removing the steering shaft u-joint - probably the trickiest part of the job--and not all that difficult, really. Be prepared with a large enough catch tub for the oil that will flow out when the lines are detached. -- Dave

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