Took my volvo 240 DL '86 into a shop to get tires replaced. The first place told me to fix the ball joints before I could get it alligned. Second shop told me the same. However, the first shop also tried to sell me on new shocks, while the second tried to sell me on a new steering shaft u joint. How can I tell if I actually need these things. I have not noticed any particular problems with either suspension or with steering, although the steering is slightly stiff (although not out of the ordinary I would think for an old car.)

Thanks

mannho,

Like Jim said, the "stiff steering" is not normal, and should be fixed. I've had the problem on 3 240s! The problem is probably the steering column u-joints. Don't bother using WD-40. That stuff is useless for this job. Use PB Blaster (about $3 at an auto parts store or Great WalMart). Spray it on the top and bottom joints, rotate the steering wheel to work it into the needle bearings in the u-joints, and spray on a little more. Repeat the following day. Soon your steering will feel like new. Give the joints a shot of PB Blaster at every oil change to keep them lubricated.

Your ball joints may be a different story entirely. If they're still tight, you can remove the rubber boot, clean them and regrease them. If they're worn out, they have to be replaced. It's an easy DIY job with details found in the archives. Parts are not very expensive, but make sure you get Moog or TRW if you go the aftermarket route. Replacing the ball joints allows you to check the tie rods and tie rod ends for play as well.

Good luck.
--
'88 244GL, '89 244GL, '90 244DL, '91 244, '92 244

Thanks Prater,

i will try that test for the u joint. Actually, just to clarify, the steering does not really seem all that stiff anymore. Not sure if I'm just used to it or something, but I'll do the test and get the lubricant.

I just went ahead and did the ball joints, because I desperately needed new tires and both of the shops seemed to concur on this point so I felt pretty sure that they were key before I could achieve good alignment. Kind of expensive, but as far as I can tell, probably worth it to have safe new tires and good alignment.

How big of a safety issues is the u joint? The guy at the shop pretty much said that it could cause me to lose steering in the car, so I'm gonna address this ASAP if that is the case.

Shane,

Unless one of the u-joint has obvious damage or is so lose that you have significant play in the steering wheel, you shouldn't have a safety issue. The steering u-joints aren't heavily loaded and they don't see a lot of load cycles over the life of the car (unlike the drive shaft u-joints). The critical thing is to keep them lubricated. Glen
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'88 244GL, '89 244GL, '90 244DL, '91 244, '92 244

Thanks for the tip. I figured that guy was probably trying to oversell me...

shane

Find a new shop! Preferably a good, honest independant Volvo specialist. Better yet, get a mechanically inclined friend to help you.

Do you have repair records? That can help us out, we don't have much to go on here.

Based on what you've written, it sounds like you might have a tight or seizing u-joint in your steering column as one shop suggested. Been there...
Easy test for that:
Get a helper. Have him/her turn the steering wheel at your instruction. Find the steering column shaft. Safely wrap a hand around it. Have assistant turn wheel. See if you can feel any clicks/binding through the column as it is been rotated. If so, locate both u-joints and spray with WD-40 or other lubricant. Do this repeatedly for a week or two. If you're lucky, that will free it up and be the end of your problem! Much money saved!!

The shocks are also easy. I'm assuming fronts (struts) here. Does the front end bounce too much when you hit broken pavement? Or is there a lot of noise when hitting bumps? The old test was to push down hard on top the shock/strut and see if the car keeps bouncing excessively afterwards - bad. If the shocks are original and its an "86" then chances are they are toast!

To test ball joints:
Best to get an experienced friend or shop but if you want to try it yourself...
1. Get a picture/schematic of the front end. Carefully crawl under the car and check if the ball joints rubber boots are split. If so, replace.
2. Carefully/safely!!(get help w/this if needed) jack front end. Grab the wheel at the 12 and 6 PM positions and shake, check for play/looseness/clunkiness.

BTW - If funds are an issue, note these are all safety items, but ball joints are probably the highest priority. Shocks (most expensive too) can probably wait till last.

Hope this helps!


--
Jim 90 244DL 243K

Thanks Jim,

I just went ahead and replaced the ball joints. Both shops concurring on this point was enough to convince me that it probably needed to be done for a proper alignment to be achieved -- and the car definitely needed alignment, as the old front tires had serious camber wear.

I just wanted to ask how much of a safety issue the u joint is. I decided against getting it done at the chain tire shop I went to to get the new tires and ball joints. The guy there seemed to make me it seem like i might literally lose the ability to steer my car when they go. is this the case? if so, I'll take it immediately to the independent volvo shop here that I just located. I would have gone there for the tires, alignment, and ball joints, but they dont have a tire machine there so I couldnt really do it there. If it's something not as serious, I'll just try to do it myself. I just lack tools since I am a grad student who moves around a lot, which makes doing any major repairs difficult.

Just as a final note of clarification, I dont really notice any steering problems any more. it was a bit tight when I first got the car, but I do not think it had been driven in awile when I bought it because the previous owner deregistered it to cancel their insurance. Could this have caused the initial slight stiffness in the steering, which now seems to have dissipated?

PS - The car is an '86 with 130k on it. the guy at one of the shops I brought it to told me he thought it was in great shape overall, even compared to the newer cars that go in there. But aside from that, I only have incomplete service records from the past.

Shane