I recently had my steering rack replaced due to a failing old one. As far as I can remember, since then, the front left wheel rattles and shakes when driving at or faster than 60 MPH. I had the front tires balanced - that didn't help. Then I noticed that the outer tie rod of the front left wheel was wearing out - I was able to shake the wheel with my hands while having the car jacked up - something I wasn't able to do on the right side. I tracked it down to the outer tie rod, and a visit to my garage confirmed it. I had the rod replaced. And to my surprise, the car still rattles and shakes at 60 MPH and up, and only on the left side. I am at a loss as to what could be causing this. Could it be the new steering rack, or something else? Does anyone have an idea?

Car is a '89 740 Turbo Wagon with 110K on it.

Thanks!

You did say that it wasn't doing this before you had the rack changed, right?
Unless it shakes when you put on the brakes don't worry about the rotors.
If everything is tight in the front end, after the outer tie rod was installed, providing the inner socket is okay and the rack bushings are okay, you might have a broken belt in the tire. After running it out of alignment for so long it could be a high spot in the tire.
If it only happens at a certain speed, isn't set off by hitting a bump, and isn't happening when the brakes are applied, I'd be looking at the tires.

I have the same problem, rattles between 60 and 70 mph. I have replaced both tie rod ends and half the balljoints, working on the other side- they are a PITA to get loose. Try R/R the control arm to radius arm bushings. I have noticed some improvement with one side complete, hope the alignment next week, after replacing other balljoint, will do the trick. Hope this helps, let me know if you zero in on definate cause. Good Luck.
Rob Mac
1989 740GL

sounds like a ball joint to me.probably the left,but replace them both then get an alignment.
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philvo

Please excuse my ignorance, but where are the ball joints located? How are they replaced?

Thanks!

Ball joints are what the tie rod end goes to. located at bottom of strut, 2 bolts.

Warped rotors possibly?

Also, did they remove your rotors when doing the rack?
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Kenric Tam
1990 Volvo 740 base sedan (B230F)
My Volvo 'Project'

Rotors are about a year old. They weren't replaced when changing the rack.

I am thinking maybe along the lines of my front left breaking system being clogged or not functioning properly. Would that make sense?

right, they weren't replaced, but were they removed?
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Kenric Tam
1990 Volvo 740 base sedan (B230F)
My Volvo 'Project'

I don't know if they were removed - I handed my car in for a new rack, and got the car back fixed, so I don't know. Should they have been removed while installing the new rack, and then put back in?

i don't know. but if they were removed, that opens up the possibility that when the rotors were put back on they did not 'mate' with the hub (or whatever it's called) properly because of rust and corrosion. you're supposed to clean off the surface before putting the rotors back on, and some places just don't do that. i don't know if that would cause your problem though. just a thought.
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Kenric Tam
1990 Volvo 740 base sedan (B230F)
My Volvo 'Project'