I have a shimmy in the front end of my 95 940 that is driving me nuts. I've changed ball joints (they were loose) and the shimmy got worse; changed radius arm bushings with no improvement; turned rotors and just for the sense of having done everything changed brake hoses with no improvement; balanced and rotated the tires with no change. Wheel bearings appear to be ok with no play, noise, or binding.

I do find that if I have the front end jacked up there is side to side (3 to 9 o'clock) play in the steering of about 2 to 3 degrees from either side and an audible clicking in the rack. The outer tie-rod ends APPEAR to be ok but I'm not certain I'm checking the inner tie-rods appropriately to isolate them from possible wear in the rack.

A mechanic friend recommended locking the rack by turning the wheel all the way to one side and having an assistant hold it then checking for the play. I did this, to end of travel both left and to right with no play in the rods evident on either side in either direction if attempting to move the wheels 3 to 9 o'clock.

There is a "slight" leak in the passenger side of the rack...more like a seep actually. Also occasionally when, for instance, pulling into a driveway to turn around and backing out and turning the wheel to the opposite extreme there is a very brief groan from the steering that sounds almost like the horn. (I know that sounds crazy). I could live a long time with this small leak.

I need to know if I have isolated this "free play or steering slop" to the rack as is my impression at this time. Troubleshooting by replacement is not a good way to go unless you're rich...and I'm not. I need an expert opinion.