My 89 Mazda pickup's steering failed in a parking lot - lucky I guess - the output shaft from the steering wheel came apart at the coupling. It was an easy fix but it was quite unexpected and scary. Has anyone come across an anomoly like this in a Volvo?

Ron
87 745

I've never heard anyone report this, but the reason I am replying is just recently I glanced at the 240's steering shaft between wheel and gear comparing pre-78 with later versions with an eye toward how it might fail. Each mode I could envision would give ample warning something was wrong by becoming loose and sloppy before breaking, provided there were no "technician induced failures" like stripped spline clamp screws for example.

It would be great if you could elaborate on the failure and what you think caused it. Pictures?

As for luck, I suspect the greatest stress on that rod always happens while parking.
--
Art Benstein near Baltimore

Yes, that's what I figured - the greatest stress is at the lowest speed. By the way, I did find an almost stripped bolt. I was in a fender bender a couple of months ago and am persuing the idea that this had something to do with it getting loose. Funny though, I think this part is normally taken apart with a puller.

Ron
87 745