My daughter and I are going to replace the fluid in the power steering systems on our 240's soon. Mine's an 81, hers is an 86. My 1981 has a metal PS reservoir. I think hers has a plastic reservoir. Question: is the top line at the reservoir the return line on both systems? Also, any other tips would be greatly appreciated. We did her automatic transmission a couple weeks ago, and it was a piece of cake. I'm learning and so is she.
--
Thanks to everyone for the help, Doug C. 81 242 Brick Off Blocks, stock; 86 240, 129K

Doug,

here is a link for the '86
http://www.homestead.com/volvo2/740PSpump.html
The top hose is very har to pull off, I ended up breaking mine and had to find a new one, SO, what i did the next time was simply cut the hose about an inch back, there was enough slack in it, and then put it back on when I was done!

The '81 I am not sure how to do, but the principal is the same.

Good Luck
Chuck

Hi Doug:
The top hose is the correct one to take off on the 86 for sure; never worked on an 81 but I'm sure it is the same one on it. It is a two person job, as the fluid pumps out pretty quickly. Go to the dollar store and get a cheap turkey baster and suck out as much of the old fluid as you can. Fill with ps fluid (I used mobile 1 atf). Start car, holding the hose in a large cup (I used a "big gulp" cup), run some out, stop the car and refill, repeat until the ps fluid looks nice and clean. Button it back up. Not hard to do.

Mike Brown
Greenville, NC
1996 965 92K
1986 244 137K

Instead of running the engine, I disconnect the coil wire and crank the engine. It is much easier to control the flow this way. When the engine is running, it is hard to keep with loss of fluid.
--
'86 240(original owner), 221K, Boulder, Co

Good idea. It does come gushing out when the engine is running....

Slacken the power steering pulley belt belt and turn the pulley with your fingers.